Differences Between CPR, Life Support, Patient Simulators & Rescue Manikins

It is important to distinguish between CPR, Life Support, Patient Simulators, and Rescue Manikins. Take the case of CPR VS life support manikins.

CPR Manikins

CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation which includes use of artificial ventilation together with chest compression to ensure oxygenation and circulation of the blood in people suffering cardiac arrest. Compression is meant to restore blood flow. Artificial ventilation is also known as artificial respiration. It is a process of metabolism involving exchange of body gasses using internal and external respiration as well as pulmonary ventilation.

Survival rates and neurologic (pertaining to the nervous system) outcomes are low for individuals who suffer heart attacks. However, early and correct CPR techniques including prompt defibrillation followed by the right conduct of post-heart attack care can improve survival figures and devastating neurological effects.

CPR is defined as the basis for successful CPR that preserves the human body for advanced life support and defibrillation.

CPR VS life support manikins

Different types of manikins are used for CPR training programs. This manikin was designed to teach individuals undergoing CPR live-saving methods and mouth to mouth resuscitation. Students breathe air into these manikins for rescue breathing. Just like real persons, the mannequin’s chest rises because of the lung bag or airway fitted inside.

One can also perform chest compression techniques by pressing the manikin’s chest correctly. This is to practice the process of improving blood flow circulation or simply getting it restarted. Or, pump the upper body to force out an object choking the manikin. Some trainers require pocket masks while others are not so strict. This rescue breathing device contains a one-way valve that allows the rescuers breathe to be exhaled to the victim without contracting any germs.

Life Support

What are the primary considerations in CPR VS life support manikins? To begin with, basic life support is meant to promote sufficient blood circulation aside from breathing through unhampered airways. Circulation provides enough blood supply for tissues and vital body organs. This, in turn, delivers oxygen to all the cells and gets rid of metabolic waste through infusion of blood all over the body.

People need life support if body systems fail. Said systems refer to the brain if the person suffers stroke or strong blow to the head and sudden heart attack. For the lungs, the possibilities are overdose of drugs; near-drowning; blood clot; serious illness or injury; nerve/muscle diseases (ALS); Cystic Fibrosis; and, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD.

Life support is synonymous to the respirator or ventilator that sustains oxygen flow and pushes air into the lungs. One end of the respirator tube goes to the windpipe by way of the mouth or nose. The other tip is connected to an electric pump. Another popular life support system is the CPR while minor systems include the dialysis for filtering toxins coming from the blood and IV (feeding tube) for feeding water and nutrition intravenously.

What are Patient Simulators?

What about patient simulators VS rescue manikins? The patient simulator is a lifelike manikin that responds psychologically as if it were a real human being. This simulator is powered by computer software allowing it to copy normal and abnormal body reactions to conditions such as asthma attacks and curative interventions like side effects of drugs.

The patient simulator supports a lot of clinical activities. Comprehensive airway management is practice during mask ventilation, intubation and ventilation. Other medical features that simulator manikins sustain are placement of central and peripheral intravenous lines. The thumb can be aroused by nerve stimulators; tangible carotid (in the artery) and radial (wrist) pulses; heart beats; and, breathing sounds. ECG leads are installed in suitable electrode locations capable of picking up the Electro Cardiogram of the manikin.

Electro mechanical computer-controlled lungs are embedded in the manikin’s chest. It is possible to adjust the lung mechanics using the PC in real time. Meanwhile, inward bound gases are detected and quantified. The concentrations are transmitted to the physiologic/pharmacologic computer models. Such gases ventilate the manikin.

When it comes to patient simulators VS rescue manikins, student rescuers have to practice using appropriate training manikins. This will prepare them for unexpected medical emergency conditions that textbooks and journals do not provide. Rescue and healthcare providers are very particular about the value that training can bring to learners. Other than the CPR manikin, there are choking manikins. Water rescue manikins have CPR functions as well so emergency response teams and firefighters can practice proper life-saving skills during one session.

Complex Field

Simulators and manikins come in various dimensions, weights and forms. The most-like and close to authentic training manikins are manufactured by prominent companies that include Simulaids, Ambu, LifeForm, Smart Man, Prestan, 3B Scientific, and Laerdal Medical. Prices of these manikins vary. The more expensive ones have near-genuine skins that appear and feel like the real human. The ideal types of manikins have plenty of features such as the anatomically correct air passages for appropriate techniques in airway management; authentic-looking jawbone or mouth for jaw trust techniques and head tilt or chin lift in opening airways; along with lifelike nose that can be pinched for effective mouth to mouth resuscitation or breathing.

With these issues and concerns in CPR VS life support manikins and patient simulators VS rescue manikins, the subject of Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR, life support systems, patient simulators, and rescue manikins have become more convoluted. Scientists, medical professionals and emergency medical rescue authorities continue to perform research and discover more techniques in first aid.