CPR Manikins & Equipment

Ever wonder where the face of today's CPR manikins came from?  Who were they designed to look like? According to Laerdal Medical, pioneers in the field of medical training devices, the first CPR manikin was created in the likeness of L'Inconnue de la Seine (The Unknown Woman of the Seine). In the late 1880s, this young girl, believed to be about 16 years old, was pulled from the Seine in Paris. It is believed that she took her own life.  

As was customary in those times, a death mask was made in an attempt to identify her. Eventually, the story surrounding the girl's mysterious death and her beauty became a cultural phenomenon and L'Inconnue de la Seine became an icon of the times.  A plaster cast was commissioned by a local mortuary worker and the death mask was reproduced.  A reproduction of the young girl's face hung in the home of Laerdal's in-laws.

After WWII, Asmund Laerdal, a toy manufacturer from Norway, was experimenting with a new material, plastic.  Using this new, soft, and malleable product, he created one of his most famous playthings, the 'Anne' doll.

As coincidence would have it, Laerdal's then two-year-old son nearly drown.  Laerdal rescued his son and forced water from his lungs.  Were it not for Laerdal's primitive resuscitative actions, his son would surely have perished. Shortly after, a group of  anesthesiologists  approached Laerdal and asked him to create a doll to demonstrate a newly developed resuscitation procedure known as CPR.  Until that point, medical students practiced CPR techniques on one another, often causing injuries.  Because of Laerdal's recent experience with his son, he was onboard.

Among the researchers was Austrian physician Peter Safar, who had helped pioneer the CPR method.  Laerdal embarked upon a history-making project: making a life-sized mannequin that people could use to practice life-saving techniques.  The face he used was that of L'Inconnue de la Seine. 

CPR manikins, AED trainers & other First Aid equipment have evolved over the years.  Although they still resemble L'Inconnue de la Seine, they have become more life-like and interactive.  Some of these manikins have pupils that respond to light, others breath, while other manikins have pulses.  Newer models even feature high-tech connection through Apps to smartphones and tablets.  Sim Labs have truly brought L'Inconnue de la Seine to life!

Nationally recognized training institutions including the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, National Safety Council, American Safety & Health Institute, now require the use of feedback devices. 

Beginning January 31, 2019, the AHA required the use of an instrumented directive feedback device or manikin in all AHA courses that teach the skills of adult CPR.  There is no requirement for these devices for child or infant training at this time.

Since our inception in 1999, we have used manikins that allow for realistic compressions and ventillations, similar to compressions that would be required on adults, children, and infants.  Audible clicking sounds were built into the manikins and designed to be heard when the proper depth of compression was reached when pushing on the chest of manikins.  In addition, the manikins featured disposable "lung" bags that allowed for complete cleaning and sterilization.

Twenty-one years later, we have upgraded our inventory to include Prestan Manikins and AEDs. These manikins provide high quality, real time, advanced CPR feedback via Bluetooth connection on adult manikins.  Advanced CPR feedback includes rate, depth, recoil, ventilation, and hands-off time.  The advanced CPR feedback is easily displayed and available to students to view while practicing. As a result, training has become more realistic and fun while allowing students to self-monitor performance and gain confidence during CPR training.

The app allows instructors to provide comprehensive CPR training while monitoring CPR performance for up to six students at a time. The app allows for the training results to be emailed to students.