Table of Contents
- What’s the Difference Between a CPR Dummy & Manikin?
- When Do You Need a CPR Manikin?
- What Types of Manikins Are There?
- How Do You Choose the Right Manikin?
- How to Take Care of Your CPR Manikin
- Do You Have the Right Training Resources?
It’s a typical Saturday afternoon, and you’re at a community barbecue with family and friends. The sun is shining, and everyone’s laughing and enjoying the warm weather. But suddenly, you hear a loud thud. You turn around and see someone collapse. They’re unresponsive. Panic starts to set in, but then you remember your CPR training.
You take a deep breath, and without hesitation, you start chest compressions. The calm and confidence you feel in this moment isn’t luck — it’s the result of hours of hands-on CPR training that included practicing on a manikin.
CPR manikins are such an important tool in the learning process. While it’s essential to know the theory behind CPR, the real test comes when you’re in the field and need to act quickly. A good manikin gives you the tactile practice and feedback necessary to perform the technique correctly.
Here’s what you need to know about CPR manikins and how to choose the right CPR dummy or manikin for your CPR training.
What’s the Difference Between a CPR Dummy & Manikin?
Before we get into the different types of dummies or manikins used for CPR, let’s clarify what those terms mean. Generally speaking, the terms “CPR dummy” and “CPR manikin” refer to the same thing: a tool used for hands-on CPR training to simulate the experience of administering CPR on a person.
The main difference between the two is the language used. “Manikin” is the medical term, referring to a model of the human body that’s used for instructional purposes (such as training in CPR or human anatomy). “Dummy,” on the other hand, can refer to any model of the human body, whether it’s used for medical instruction or not.
A Brief History of CPR Manikins
The history of CPR and CPR manikins is fascinating, full of innovation and determination to improve lifesaving techniques.
It all started in the 1960s when the first CPR manikin, “Resusci-Annie,” was introduced by Norwegian toymaker Asmund Laerdal. Laerdal’s creation revolutionized CPR training by providing a lifelike model so students could practice the necessary skills of chest compressions and rescue breathing in a realistic, hands-on way.
Before manikins, CPR training was theoretical, leaving many unprepared for real-life emergencies.
Over the decades, CPR manikins have undergone many changes to improve their functionality and realism. In the early years, the models were relatively basic and lacked the advanced feedback systems that today’s manikins offer. However, as medical knowledge and technology evolved, so did the design of the manikin.
Today, modern CPR manikins are equipped with features that provide valuable feedback, such as chest compression depth indicators, audible clickers, and even feedback on compression rates. These improvements have played a significant role in making CPR training more effective and accessible, helping save countless lives in emergency situations.
When Do You Need a CPR Manikin?
A CPR dummy or manikin is designed to give tactile feedback that mimics the response of the human body to CPR and indicates whether the user is performing CPR correctly (for example, some models make a sound if the chest compressions are deep enough). As such, manikins are used primarily for hands-on CPR training and skills evaluations.
Some state boards and regulatory agencies require a hands-on demonstration as part of an accepted CPR certification course and to renew a CPR certification. If your state board or other governing bodies don’t require a hands-on demonstration, you can still choose to require it for your own organization.
In any case, if your CPR training includes a hands-on component, you need a CPR dummy or manikin to practice and demonstrate your skills on.
Manikins for In-Person Versus Remote Learning
As remote and hybrid learning environments become more common, CPR training is also adapting to meet the needs of diverse learners. In-person CPR training typically uses full-sized torso manikins that include all aspects of CPR, from chest compressions to rescue breathing.
These larger manikins provide a realistic training experience and a comprehensive review of skills. However, when training remote teams or conducting online CPR certification courses, transporting large manikins can become cumbersome and expensive.
For remote learning, smaller, more portable options like our patented SUMO manikin kit are perfect. These manikins are compact, lightweight, and easy to ship, making them ideal for virtual training sessions. Despite their smaller size, they still offer necessary feedback, allowing students to practice and perfect their CPR techniques.
The SUMO manikin kit is also cost-effective, making it an affordable choice for smaller organizations or remote instructors who may only need to train a few individuals at a time.
What Types of Manikins Are There?
CPR manikins come in various types, sizes, and features to meet the diverse needs of different training scenarios. Whether you’re teaching CPR to adults, children, or infants, there are manikins designed to replicate the specific anatomy and physiology of each group.
Adult manikins are the most commonly used, providing students with a realistic model for practicing chest compressions and rescue breathing. For pediatric and infant CPR, smaller manikins are available to ensure that the techniques are appropriate for the younger population.
Modern manikins reinforce proper technique so students develop muscle memory and perform CPR effectively.
As CPR training has advanced, so too have the features integrated into these manikins. They offer feedback systems that alert students when chest compressions are too shallow or when they’re performing compressions at an incorrect rate.
Additionally, inclusivity has become a key focus in the design of modern CPR manikins. To reduce discomfort for those practicing on a manikin, many new models are designed to be more inclusive.
How Do You Choose the Right Manikin?
You’ve likely heard the saying, “practice makes perfect,” but how do you know you’re making your practice as perfect as possible? Without hands-on practice using the right tools, your skills may fall short when someone’s life is on the line. Finding the best CPR manikins is often an overlooked step in CPR training preparation.
While your CPR instructor may bring a manikin along for training, if you’re tasked with selecting a suitable tool for your team or organization, do you know what to look for? The manikin you choose plays a key role in making your practice as effective as possible.
By Course
Choosing the right CPR manikin depends largely on the type of CPR course you’re teaching. Different courses have different training requirements, so it’s essential to select a manikin that best fits the course structure and goals.
For basic CPR courses, you need manikins that focus on the essential techniques of chest compressions and rescue breathing. These courses are typically designed for a general audience who may never have performed CPR before, so manikins need to be user-friendly and provide clear, consistent feedback.
A standard adult manikin is ideal for practicing proper hand placement and compression depth in a simple, straightforward manner.
By Age Group
Manikins are specifically designed to replicate the human body at different stages of life, each with unique characteristics that must be taken into account for effective CPR.
Adult manikins are the most common type of manikins used in CPR training. They’re designed to simulate an adult’s anatomical structure. Adult manikins are ideal for training those learning basic CPR skills, especially for those in general workplace or community settings.
The feedback provided by adult manikins can be focused on chest compression depth, compression rate, and rescue breaths, which are the primary skills taught in adult CPR courses.
When teaching CPR for children, child-sized manikins become helpful. Children have smaller chests and larger heads, so techniques like compression depth and head positioning vary from adult CPR.
A child manikin is also designed to simulate the anatomical differences of a child’s body, including a smaller ribcage and narrower airway. These manikins are useful for healthcare professionals, teachers, daycare workers, and anyone else who might need to respond to a child in an emergency situation.
Infant CPR involves different techniques, as infants have significantly smaller bodies and require more delicate care. Infant manikins are smaller, lighter, and often have features like a softer chest to simulate the appropriate amount of force needed for compressions.
These manikins are critical for anyone working with infants, including pediatricians, pediatric nurses, and parents or caregivers. They reinforce that the proper technique, such as using two fingers for compressions, is practiced.
Each of these age-specific manikins teaches the techniques appropriate for the age group in question, which helps prepare trainees for real-life situations where they may need to perform CPR on a child or an adult.
The Best CPR Manikin
When selecting a CPR manikin, it’s crucial to consider your specific training environment and needs. Depending on your course type, location, and frequency of use, the ideal manikin will vary.
If you’re teaching in-person CPR classes, a multi-use manikin that’s durable and easy to maintain is the best option. These manikins can handle frequent use and are built to last for many training sessions.
Look for manikins that include compression depth indicators, as they provide immediate feedback on whether chest compressions are being performed correctly.
Prestan Manikins are a great choice for in-person training, as they’re sturdy, easy to clean, cost-effective, and feature both compression depth and rate indicators for real-time adjustments during practice.
If you have remote team members, portability and ease of use are key. You’ll want a manikin that’s lightweight, compact, and cost-effective while still providing effective feedback. Single-use manikin kits like the SUMO Manikin Kit are a great solution for remote learning.
These kits are designed to be easy to ship and store, and they provide tactile feedback through a built-in noise generator, which helps teach chest compressions at the correct depth. The affordability and compact nature of SUMO manikins make them ideal for smaller teams or remote learners.
If you’re a CPR instructor teaching at various locations, consider manikins that are portable, durable, and able to withstand the rigors of travel and frequent use. You need something lightweight that won’t take up too much space but will still provide effective feedback.
Prestan Manikins are also an excellent choice for instructors who travel frequently because they’re built for portability and easy maintenance.
Ultimately, remember that the purpose of a CPR dummy or manikin is to facilitate effective CPR training to equip you and your staff to save lives in the event of an emergency. You’ll want to choose one that helps you make your CPR training program more accessible and efficient for everyone involved.
How to Take Care of Your CPR Manikin
Maintaining your CPR manikins keeps them lasting for years while providing accurate feedback for your students.
Here are a few quick manikin care tips:
- If barrier devices aren’t being used, clean the manikin with alcohol wipes after each student.
- Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions for best results.
- Store manikins in a cool, dry place to prevent deterioration.
- Regularly inspect multi-use manikins for proper feedback system function.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning so you’re using the correct products. Proper care will keep your CPR manikins in excellent working condition, ready to provide high-quality training for years to come.
For a more detailed guide, download our free “How to Clean Your CPR Manikin” PDF, designed specifically for businesses to keep their manikins in optimal condition.
Do You Have the Right Training Resources?
A CPR dummy or manikin is a crucial tool for effective CPR training, but the type of manikin you need depends on your organization’s personnel, training needs, and future plans. It’s essential to choose the right equipment and resources — manikins included — so your staff can receive the best possible CPR training.
Understanding the true costs and considerations when it comes to CPR and First Aid certification can help guide your decision-making. Contact us today to learn more about how ProTrainings can help you make getting your staff CPR certified easier and more efficient.