One in three Britons are afraid to give women CPR because they are worried about touching their breasts, a study reveals.

The same proportion of men (33 per cent) also fear being accused of 'inappropriate' touching when giving women chest compressions.

However, just 13 per cent of women have the same reservations, according to the survey of 1,000 UK adults for St John Ambulance.

The first aid charity warned the sexual taboo is putting women at greater risk of dying from cardiac arrest and stressed: 'When it comes to CPR, every body is the same.'

Previous research found only 68 per cent of women are likely to receive bystander CPR compared to 73 per cent of of men.

And survival from the time of the cardiac arrest to hospital admission was 34 per cent for women but 37 per cent for men.

St John Ambulance wants everyone to learn CPR, which is given in the same way to both sexes, adding: 'Everyone deserves the best possible chance of survival.'

A defibrillator can make a critical difference, as when used within the first three minutes it can increase the chances of someone surviving a cardiac arrest by up to 70 per cent.

The defibrillator has pads that need to be placed on bare skin on the chest area.

However, when hearing this instruction, 38 per cent of people agreed that their levels of discomfort would rise.

Nearly half of the male respondents (46 per cent) stated they would feel less comfortable using a defibrillator on a woman knowing that they might have to remove her clothing, including a bra, versus 31 per cent of females surveyed.

Nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of all respondents admitted they are less likely to give CPR to a woman in public than a man.

However, two in three (64 per cent) agreed their comfort levels would increase if offered the right support and training.

Jordan Davison, community experience manager at St John Ambulance, said: 'Whilst this latest research flags some concerning issues around people's comfort levels in performing CPR on women, it isn't wholly surprising.

'These concerns are frequently raised in our training sessions.

'Our message to people is that it is always better to do something than nothing in these circumstances.

'Regardless of gender, when it comes to CPR, every body is the same, the technique is the same and everyone deserves the best possible chance of survival.

'By supporting this campaign, signing up to a free first aid public demonstration, visiting our website for first aid advice or attending a training course — let's bust this taboo together and close this unnecessary gender gap for good.'

Each year over 30,000 people have an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK, with less than one in ten surviving, according to the British Heart Foundation.

Millie Bright, captain of Chelsea Football Club's women's team, said: I’ve had the experience of being at a game when someone suffered a suspected cardiac arrest, and it was terrifying.

'It's so important that we all take the time to learn how to save a life, as we never know when we might need the help of strangers.

'To learn that as a woman I am more at risk because people are uncomfortable to provide help due to my gender is shocking.'