ASHI and MEDIC First Aid Blog

Maybe you’re a new emergency care instructor or you’ve just started your training business. Or perhaps you want to do some upgrades and improvements to the tools of the trade at your TC.  If you’ve got CPR manikins on your mind, today’s blog post is for you. 

Here are some basic considerations to mull over before you make your purchases: 

1) Do I do a lot of traveling when I train?

If you’re doing a lot of onsite training that involves traveling to different locations, a smaller, lightweight manikin could be your best choice. Something easy to carry, easy to set up, and, most importantly, easy to clean will make your “road show” experience a little less stressful.

If your typical training locations are actual worksites and shop floors, then sacrificing lighter weight for increased durability might be a better solution for you.

2) What is involved in using a particular manikin?

How easy is it to get those lungs in and out of your manikin? Can your manikin be safely used with your particular AED trainer unit’s pads? Do you need a manikin with a removable face, nose, or mouthpiece?

3) Does the manikin offer feedback mechanisms?

Many models offer a feedback system such as indictor lights to show when compressions and rescue breaths are being done correctly. Is that a feature that fits with your training style, or do you find that more a distraction than a help? How does the manikin indicate the correct head tilt/chin lift position?

4) What is the manikin made of and how do I take care of it?

A latex-free manikin helps alleviate concerns about allergic reactions to use. Does your manikin require special cleaning solutions? Some manikin heads are dishwasher safe, which makes cleaning easier (even if the image of a dishwasher full of heads is, let’s face it, kind of creepy).

5) Is the manikin in my budget?

Manikins come in a range of prices. Will having fewer units of a more expensive brand work for your training center, or do you need a more budget-friendly option to get the number of manikins you need to cover all your classes?

HSI offers manikins from CPR Prompt, Simulaids, Prestan, Laerdal, and Ambu in our online store, and our reps at 800.447.3177 would be happy to answer your questions and work with you to determine the right manikins for your business.

But the best resource for manikin wisdom is our ASHI and MEDIC First Aid instructor base. You are the “boots on the ground” when it comes to using and working with these important training tools. We invite our instructors to share their experience and preferences in the comment section below. What’s your favorite manikin and which ones would you recommend that a new instructor purchase?