From breast sleeves to Simpsons characters: the plastic props that could one day keep your heart beating

It's highly probable that if you have breasts and go into cardiac arrest, people are less likely to give you life-saving CPR.

Research suggests this is because most members of the public are reluctant to touch exposed breasts or the chest area in case it's seen as inappropriate, acting general manager of education and training Mark Molloy from the ACT Ambulance Service (ACTAS) says.

ACT paramedics work on a mannequin and, inset, some of the props used to keep get them ready for the front line. Pictures by Karleen Minney