The Heart of Lifesaving: Why We Do What We Do

Author: Marcy Burnham, RN

In the field of lifesaving, the work is challenging, sometimes unpredictable, and often physically and emotionally demanding. Whether it’s lifeguarding, paramedic work, or volunteering in disaster response, the common thread that ties all lifesaving professionals together is a deep, unwavering commitment to saving lives. But what drives us to pursue a career or volunteer work where we’re constantly faced with high-pressure situations? Why do we do what we do?

  • Making a Difference When It Matters Most

At its core, lifesaving is about being there when it counts. Whether you’re a lifeguard pulling someone from the water, a paramedic stabilizing a heart attack victim, or a search and rescue worker pulling someone from the wreckage, you are present in someone’s darkest, most vulnerable moment. The knowledge that we have the ability to save a life fuels our dedication. It’s not just about showing up, but about showing up with the skills and knowledge to make an impact. Every action can be the difference between life and death, and the power to make that difference is incredibly fulfilling.

  • The Calling to Serve

For many of us in the lifesaving field, there’s a deep sense of calling—the idea that this work is not just a job, but a purpose. We are drawn to help others, to serve our communities, and to be there when someone needs us most. There’s something inherently selfless about dedicating your time, energy, and skills to saving lives, often at great personal sacrifice. It’s a calling rooted in empathy, compassion, and the desire to put others’ well-being above our own. This calling can come from different places—some of us may have experienced or witnessed lifesaving interventions in our own lives, while others may simply have a natural drive to be in service to others. Whatever the source, that inner pull keeps us committed, even through the toughest days.

  • Facing Challenges Head-On

Lifesaving work isn’t easy. It requires split-second decisions, sharp instincts, and the ability to stay calm under immense pressure. But for many of us, these challenges are part of what makes the work so meaningful. We thrive in high-stakes situations, where our training and quick thinking come into play. There’s an adrenaline rush that comes with knowing you’re facing a critical moment, and the satisfaction that follows when you’ve successfully navigated that moment can’t be matched. The more we face these challenges, the more we sharpen our skills and grow as professionals. However, it’s not just about the rush or excitement. It’s about being prepared and confident in our abilities to tackle whatever comes our way. In the face of chaos, we are the calm. In the face of fear, we are the steady hand.

  • The Reward of Saving Lives

The work we do in the lifesaving field is often intense, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. There is no greater reward than knowing you saved a life. The gratitude we receive from those we’ve helped, the knowledge that we’ve given someone more time with their loved ones, and the sense of pride we feel in doing meaningful work is what keeps us coming back, day after day. Even when a life cannot be saved, we know that we’ve done everything in our power to help. And that, in itself, is a powerful motivator.

  • Being Part of a Lifesaving Community

One of the most underrated yet fulfilling aspects of lifesaving work is the sense of community. Lifesaving professionals are bound together by shared experiences—both the triumphs and the challenges. Whether you’re a lifeguard working at a beach, a paramedic responding to emergencies, or a firefighter rescuing people from harm, you become part of a larger, tightly-knit group of individuals who understand the unique pressures and rewards of the work.

We train together, support each other, and often build lifelong bonds based on the shared mission of saving lives. In this community, we lean on each other for strength and solidarity, especially during the most difficult times.

  • The Drive to Be Prepared for Anything

One of the most crucial aspects of lifesaving is being prepared for anything. We train extensively—CPR, first aid, rescue techniques, emergency protocols—all so that when the moment comes, we can act without hesitation. This preparedness extends beyond technical skills. It’s about mental toughness, emotional resilience, and the ability to stay focused when everything around us is chaotic. For many of us, the drive to constantly improve and prepare is what fuels our dedication. We’re always learning, refining our skills, and staying on top of the latest advancements in lifesaving techniques and equipment. This dedication to training ensures that we can respond effectively when it matters most.

  • The Unseen Impact

While much of the lifesaving work involves critical, high-visibility moments—like pulling someone from a burning building or administering CPR—there are also countless smaller moments that leave lasting impacts. It might be offering comfort to someone who is scared or injured, educating the public on water safety, or providing first aid at a community event. These small, unseen acts of service can have a profound impact on the people we help, even if they don’t make headlines. Lifesaving is about more than just saving lives in a dramatic sense—it’s about creating safer environments and offering care whenever and wherever it’s needed.

  • Leaving a Legacy of Safety

Finally, one of the driving forces behind what we do in the lifesaving field is the desire to leave behind a legacy of safety. Every life we save, every safety measure we implement, and every person we train contributes to a safer world. We hope that through our work, we inspire others to take lifesaving seriously—whether that’s by learning CPR, paying attention to water safety, or being prepared for emergencies. Our work doesn’t just impact the present; it has ripple effects that extend into the future. By training others and raising awareness, we help ensure that more people are equipped to act when lives are on the line.

Lifesaving is more than a job—it’s a mission driven by compassion, purpose, and the deep-seated desire to make a difference in the world. We do what we do because every life matters, and every second counts. It’s about facing challenges, staying prepared, and never hesitating to act when others need us the most. In the lifesaving field, we’re united by one core belief: saving a life is the greatest achievement we can have. And for that reason, we’ll continue to train, respond, and put ourselves on the front lines—because we know the impact of our work is immeasurable.

Office: (205) 417-4711
Email: [email protected]

Why Women Are Less Likely to Receive CPR and How We Can Change That

Why Women Are Less Likely to Receive CPR and How We Can Change That

Author: Marcy Burnham, RN

When someone collapses due to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), every second is crucial. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can double or even triple the chance of survival in these moments. Despite this, research shows a concerning trend: women are less likely to receive bystander CPR than men. This disparity in treatment can have life-or-death consequences.

Understanding why women are less likely to receive CPR in an emergency and what we can do to change it is critical to closing this life-threatening gender gap.

The CPR Gender Gap: What the Research Says

A growing body of research highlights the gender disparity when it comes to CPR. One study presented at the American Heart Association conference found that only 39% of women who experienced cardiac arrest in public received bystander CPR, compared to 45% of men. This may not seem like a large difference, but the consequences are stark: men are 23% more likely to survive cardiac arrest when it occurs in public than women.

Several factors contribute to this disparity, ranging from social fears to misconceptions about how cardiac arrest presents itself in women. These factors create unnecessary barriers that prevent bystanders from stepping in when women need it most.

Several key reasons explain why bystanders may hesitate to perform CPR on women: fear of inappropriate contact, misconceptions about women and heart attacks, underrepresentation in CPR training, and clothing barriers. The good news is that we can address these barriers with education, awareness, and updated training. Here’s how we can start to close the CPR gender gap and ensure that women receive life-saving assistance when they need it:

1. Education and Awareness Campaigns
Raising awareness about the importance of CPR for everyone, regardless of gender, is essential. Public health campaigns need to emphasize that cardiac arrest is not a gendered issue, and women are just as likely to need CPR as men. These campaigns should also educate people about the differences in how heart attacks and cardiac arrest may present in women to help bystanders recognize an emergency quickly.

2. Normalize Performing CPR on Women
We need to address the fear of inappropriate contact head-on by normalizing the idea that performing CPR is a life-saving act. Bystanders should be reminded that in an emergency, the primary focus should be on saving a life, not worrying about appearances or social norms. Good Samaritan laws, which protect individuals who offer assistance in an emergency, should be more widely publicized to alleviate fears of legal repercussions.

3. CPR Training on Diverse Manikins
CPR courses should update their training tools to include female and more diverse body types. Incorporating female manikins can help participants feel more comfortable administering CPR on women. This adjustment will ensure that responders are familiar with both male and female anatomy and are less likely to hesitate when performing CPR in real situations.

4. Address Clothing Concerns in Training
CPR instructors should specifically address how to handle clothing concerns during CPR, particularly with bras and restrictive clothing. In an emergency, bystanders need to know how to act swiftly and efficiently, without being held back by uncertainty. Teaching people how to perform chest compressions effectively without worrying about clothing will improve confidence.

5. Encourage Women to Learn CPR
Encouraging more women to learn CPR can help create a chain reaction. Women who are trained in CPR may feel more comfortable stepping in to assist another woman in an emergency. In addition, increasing the number of trained female responders helps create a culture where providing aid is normalized across gender lines.

6. Focus on the Humanity of Saving a Life
In the heat of an emergency, it’s easy to become fixated on fears of doing the “wrong” thing. We need to remind ourselves and others that when someone is in cardiac arrest, the worst thing you can do is nothing. Bystanders need to understand that without CPR, the chances of survival drop dramatically with every minute. The fear of touching someone should never outweigh the potential to save their life.

The CPR gender gap is a solvable problem, but it requires a shift in mindset and training. Women are just as likely as men to need life-saving CPR, and bystanders need to feel empowered to take action without hesitation. By increasing education, improving CPR training, and spreading awareness, we can ensure that every person, regardless of gender, receives the help they need in an emergency. When it comes to saving a life, everyone deserves an equal chance.

Let’s close the gap, break down barriers, and make sure that no woman is left without the care she needs. Learn CPR today, and you could be the difference between life and death for someone tomorrow.

Office: (205) 417-4711
Email: [email protected]