CPR Manikins: Health & Hygiene - What to Take Into Consideration

Manikins are life-sized dolls but they should not used without keeping health concerns in mind. They have been used by artists, tailors, dressmakers, or window dressers to help in their trade. Today, manikins are given more roles; they are now used as tools for medical training specifically in emergency situations like cardiac arrest or shock caused by accidents.

Dummies are equipped with simulated airways that are used in the teaching of first aid. Antibacterial & hygienic CPR manikinsare not complete like humans as they only have heads and bodies for adults.

The Two Types of Manikins

• Basic type

Simple type of CPR manikins is used to teach the proper way to perform a Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation. The dummy has a breathing passageway that opens as soon as the head is tilted or the chin is lifted. As air is breathed into the mouth, the chest rises. The look is so life-like. Some newer models have clicker that determines the accuracy of the compression pressure.

• Advanced type

The model is slightly complicated with monitor rate features. It gives immediate feedback on how well compression rate is being conducted. One kind of feedback employs the concept of “traffic stoplight”.

1. As soon as the number of compressions reaches 60, the red light flashes once.
2. Red light flash means that compressions should be made faster.
3. For compressions that register 80 per minute, the yellow light shows up.
4. Once the number reaches 100, the light becomes green pushing the individual to continue.

More intricate types of CPR manikins

Other types of antibacterial CPR manikins are designed to perform more sophisticated advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) or used for complicated cardiac life support training. This support for level-life is made up of the following:

• Compression of chest
• Defibrillation with electricity
• Endotracheal Intubation emergency
• Intravenous fluids
• Ventilation

Extra Features of

Advanced types of antibacterial CPR manikins have complete bodies, adults included, and used for practice in all functions. Extra features found in this model are:

• To stimulate multiple body figures, chest rigidity could be changed.
• Its defibrillator electrodes are adaptable.
• Normal tubes are used for intubation of the mouse, throat and nose.
• Takes blood pressures of manikins.
• Manikins can be injected like human beings.
• Health best practices for CPR manikins are those with their own software to program on assortment of health conditions.
• This facilitates the opportunity for training in all types of ailments and trauma.

On making the manikins

Manufacturers produce only life-like hygienic CPR manikins. To minimize costs, the upper body of models is limited. Authentic skins are fitted in all types of CPR manikins to give them a real look. Found in the more advanced varieties are heads fitted with eyelid that blinks based on their programmed rates. Eyes, like humans have also these capabilities:

• Shed real tears
• Same size of real pupil
• Gives reaction time
• Skin can turn pale or bluish

These very realistic features familiarize the students on the body’s reactions so they acquire skills in handling this type of reactions. Ultimately, they transfer what they learn with the dummies to real people.  The mannequins are used:

• To practice proper way to do cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
• To fulfill requirements for participants as stated by the instructor.
• Note: trainees should absolutely not use mannequins when they have a skin cut, unprotected open wound or herpes blister on the hands, the mouth or the lips or just any sign of an infectious disease.

Health & Hygiene: Rules to apply when using a mannequin in a training session

1. Before using mannequins, all participants and instructors are required to wash their hands often and thoroughly.
2. Only mannequins with interchangeable face mask are used.
3. During the time that antibacterial CPR manikins are being used, each participant must have his/her own individual face mask.
4. The mask is not communal – used only by one person during the course’s duration.
5. When not in use, each mask must be kept in a plastic bag labelled with the owner’s name.
6. Before practicing the artificial ventilation, each participant must be given full directions on how to place the face mask on the mannequin.
7. If any participant abstains from mouth to mouth resuscitation, they can still practice cardio-pulmonary technique in resuscitation by applying chest compressions as trained and practiced during the short training sessions.
8. Relying on a manikin that's labeled as "antibacterial" is inadequate protection against infections but disinfectant wipes are sufficient to clean certain mannequins.

Procedures to follow when cleaning the manikins

Hygiene & health best practices for CPR manikins are as follows:

1. Whichever mannequin is used during the training, the instructor must give each participant an individual face mask.
2. Participants will use only this dummy for the duration of the course.
3. It will be kept inside a plastic bag with a tab containing the owner’s name.
4. If the mannequins used are Ambu® Actar®, the participant will be given an inflatable bag that they throw away at the end of the course.
5. For those given mannequin model Laerdal®, the kit with title “open the airway” will be utilized during the duration of the training and like the others will be discarded at the end of the course.

Training and information

1. All information is applicable and practice in every possible occasion. For all beginner or advanced training, all information about infection risk and proper hygiene must be integrated as vital part in handling and teaching procedure.
2. At all instructors’ training session as well as all other re-training sessions, this document will be disseminated. A doctor and a state nurse are important staff in the field.
3. Available consultants are the Emergency and First Aid services and management team along with national health board. Participants and instructors can consult them for all further information.

Last words about CPR manikins: More and more clinics and rescue organizations require that staff be given premium quality types of hygienic CPR manikins in their training. It is always advisable to consider only purchasing the high quality manikins built with reliable instruments for monitoring.

The importance of CPR is often considered insignificant at times but they do not realize the procedure may save a life. The process is common and simple but procedure is crucial during times and situations least expected.

There is nothing to lose but everything to gain by giving proper training and providing health best practices for CPR manikins with the latest technology or equipment in saving human lives.