Charity, Health & Lifestyle | Posted on July 28th, 2026 | return to news

Women invited to ‘Dare to Bare’ for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance

The event will both raise funds for the air ambulance and raise awareness of the barriers that can prevent women receiving life-saving CPR.

Women from across the region are to take part in a topless sponsored swim to raise awareness of the barriers that can prevent women receiving life-saving CPR.

The event on Sunday 23 August at Vobster Quay in Radstock in Somerset is also to raise funds for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

Research suggests that hesitation around touching or exposing a woman’s chest may contribute to delays in people acting during an emergency.

Mollie, who is taking part in this year’s event, said: “Myself and three other wonderful lifeguards from Wivey Pool (who I talked into it!) are taking part in DARE to BARE to raise awareness that women are less likely to receive bystander intervention CPR than men, which results in significantly poorer survival rates. As lifeguards at a rural lido, we understand how important it is for specialist help to reach people quickly in remote areas, and we’re proud to support the vital work that they do.”

Alongside the swim, participants will learn life-saving CPR and defibrillator skills using Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance’s female CPR manikins. Designed to make training more representative, the manikins will help people build the confidence to act in an emergency, regardless of gender.

Every participant will be helping Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance continue its vital work across the region, where its critical care team is tasked to around 3,000 incidents every year.

Tania Eveleigh, events manager at Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance said: “DARE to BARE is about far more than a swim. It’s about bringing women together to have an important conversation that could ultimately save lives.

“It’s been incredibly encouraging to see the conversations this event has already started. We know that some people are understandably hesitant about performing CPR on a woman’s chest, but when someone is in cardiac arrest, every second counts. The women coming to this event are sending a powerful message – it’s ok to save my life. “We are committed to creating a welcoming, supportive and safe environment where women can take part in whatever feels comfortable for them. Toplessness is entirely optional, and whether participants choose to swim topless or in a swimsuit, they’ll receive exactly the same warm welcome. We’re looking forward to what promises to be a fantastic evening, bringing women together to support one another, learn life-saving CPR skills and raise vital funds for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. “We’re also incredibly grateful to Zoggs for sponsoring our swim caps and helping to make this unique event possible. If this event gives even one more person the confidence to step forward and perform CPR without hesitation, together we’ll have achieved something truly meaningful.”

To find out more and book your place, visit: www.dsairambulance.org.uk/Event/daretobare2026