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Gatwick cardiac arrest survivor urges people to feel confident giving CPR
Overview
A woman who survived a cardiac arrest at Gatwick Airport is encouraging others to feel confident in administering CPR. Helen Warren collapsed in September 2025 and was saved by bystanders who performed resuscitation before emergency services and the Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) took over. KSS and health experts have highlighted concerns that modesty or worries about touching a woman's chest or removing a bra might cause hesitation, stressing that preserving life takes priority over social discomfort.
Key points
- Helen Warren suffered a cardiac arrest while walking to her departure gate at Gatwick Airport in September 2025.
- Two passengers stepped in immediately to begin CPR, which Warren credits with saving her life.
- Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) airlifted the 68-year-old retired teacher to hospital.
- KSS expressed concern that some people might hesitate to perform CPR or use a defibrillator on a woman due to modesty or clothing concerns.
- KSS paramedic Lynsey Grant stated that a bra should never be a barrier to saving a life and that doing something is always better than doing nothing.