Which CPR Manikin Is Suitable for BLS Training?

1. What Is BLS?

BLS (Basic Life Support) refers to emergency techniques aimed at maintaining breathing and blood circulation in people experiencing cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, or severe respiratory failure while waiting for advanced emergency care. BLS includes the following key skills:

• Initial assessment: Assessing the patient's condition, checking responsiveness, breathing, and signs of cardiac arrest.

• Airway management: Performing techniques to open and maintain the airway to support breathing.

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): Performing chest compressions combined with appropriate ventilation to maintain circulation and supply oxygen to the body.

• AED use: Analyzing the heart rhythm and delivering an electric shock when indicated by the device.

BLS has a broader scope than CPR, with CPR being a central technique. BLS training is commonly provided to healthcare professionals, emergency responders, emergency response personnel, and appropriately trained individuals. BLS training helps learners recognize life-threatening conditions early, perform initial emergency procedures correctly, and increase the victim's chances of survival before advanced medical care becomes available.

2. What Criteria Should Be Considered When Choosing CPR Manikins for BLS Training?

Ability to Provide Feedback on Chest Compression Rate and Depth

During practice, trainees may find it difficult to assess their own chest compression rate and depth. Therefore, CPR manikins equipped with feedback systems help learners recognize and adjust their techniques appropriately.

Support for Assessing Chest Recoil

After each compression, the chest must be allowed to recoil completely to support blood returning to the heart. If the rescuer does not release compression force between compressions, CPR quality may be affected. Some CPR manikins with advanced feedback systems allow chest recoil to be monitored.

Support for Rescue Breathing Practice

CPR manikins should have suitable airway structures and lung systems to allow trainees to practice rescue breathing. Trainees need to practice ventilation using a resuscitation mask or other assisted ventilation methods.

Suitable for AED Practice

CPR manikins should allow trainees to practice procedures using an AED trainer, including electrode pad placement and coordination of emergency response steps. However, CPR manikins and AED trainers are two devices with different functions. Therefore, when selecting manikins, training organizations need to check their compatibility with AED trainers and related accessories.

2.5. Ability to Support Trainee Performance Assessment

For BLS training programs that include skills assessments, technical feedback systems can help instructors evaluate practical performance. Some manikins allow monitoring of parameters such as compression rate, compression depth, chest recoil, ventilation, and interruptions in chest compressions. Models supporting application connectivity may also provide performance data or reports. However, data from the manikin is only a supporting tool. Pass-or-fail decisions must be based on the training program's assessment criteria and the judgment of the instructor or authorized organization.

3. Which CPR Manikins Are Suitable for BLS Training?

The following CPR manikin models are worth considering for BLS training programs that require real-time chest compression practice, rescue breathing, and coordinated use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).

3.1. PRESTAN Professional Adult Series 2000

This adult CPR manikin from PRESTAN is manufactured in the United States. The manikin supports Bluetooth connectivity with the PRESTAN CPR Feedback App, helping trainees monitor and adjust their techniques during chest compressions. In addition to its direct feedback system, Series 2000 supports monitoring multiple parameters related to CPR techniques. The application also allows multiple compatible Series 2000 manikins to be monitored during the same practice session.

BLS training centers, hospitals, healthcare professional training institutions, and organizations that need data-based CPR quality monitoring should consider using this manikin for training.

3.2. PRESTAN Professional Adult

PRESTAN Professional Adult is an adult CPR manikin designed with a CPR Rate Monitor system. LED indicators are integrated into the manikin's shoulder to provide feedback on chest compression rate. When trainees perform CPR, the LED indicators change according to the compression rate, helping them recognize and adjust their compression rhythm during practice. In addition, the manikin has an audible mechanism that helps trainees recognize when the designed compression depth threshold has been reached.

This manikin is suitable for basic BLS training courses or CPR practice programs where instructors directly supervise and assess trainees.

3.3. Laerdal Little Anne QCPR

Laerdal Little Anne QCPR is an adult CPR manikin from Laerdal Medical, a Norwegian brand specializing in resuscitation training equipment. The product integrates QCPR technology, supporting real-time feedback through an application and the SkillGuide device. In particular, the application features a competition mode (QCPR Race) that helps increase trainee engagement.

Laerdal Little Anne QCPR is well suited to BLS training centers and healthcare facilities that require detailed CPR feedback systems and additional useful features.

3.4. Ambu Man Wireless

Ambu Man Wireless is a CPR manikin from Ambu, a Danish medical device brand. The product is designed for CPR training, with the ability to monitor practice parameters through a feedback system. One notable feature is its integrated Self-training mode, which allows trainees to practice independently and review their results. In addition, the Ambu Hygiene System uses separate face masks and airway bags for each trainee, helping reduce the risk of cross-contamination and meet hygiene requirements in BLS training programs at healthcare facilities.

3.5. Multi-Age CPR Manikin Sets

For BLS training programs that include cardiopulmonary resuscitation for children and infants, a single adult CPR manikin cannot fully meet practical training needs. Training organizations need to equip themselves with additional manikins suitable for each age group. PRESTAN offers manikin sets featuring Professional Adult, Professional Child, and Professional Infant models, making them suitable for CPR training across different age groups. These manikin sets are suitable for BLS programs at childcare centers, schools, hospitals, and first aid training institutions.

4. Frequently Asked Questions When Choosing CPR Manikins for BLS Training

Can Standard CPR Manikins Be Used for BLS Training?

Standard CPR manikins can be used to practice certain BLS skills. However, if the program requires quantitative feedback or skills assessment according to specific standards, manikins that meet those requirements should be selected.

Is PRESTAN Professional Adult Suitable for BLS Training?

Yes. PRESTAN Professional Adult supports adult CPR practice and provides direct feedback on compatible versions. However, for programs that require measurement of multiple technical parameters, models with advanced feedback systems should be considered.

Is PRESTAN Series 2000 Suitable for BLS Training?

Yes. PRESTAN Series 2000 supports adult CPR practice and monitoring of multiple parameters through the CPR Feedback App. However, compliance with certification course requirements must be confirmed according to the regulations of the organizing institution.

Does BLS Training Require Child and Infant CPR Manikins?

Professional BLS training programs require a complete set of manikins for all three age groups: adults, children, and infants.

Should You Choose PRESTAN Professional Adult or Series 2000 for BLS Training?

If the program focuses on basic CPR practice, Professional Adult is worth considering. If monitoring multiple technical parameters and evaluating performance through data are required, Series 2000 is more suitable.

CPR manikins suitable for BLS training must meet the program's practical training content and technical assessment requirements. In particular, for courses emphasizing high-quality CPR, feedback on compression rate, compression depth, and chest recoil is an important criterion. PRESTAN Professional Adult can meet basic CPR practice needs through its direct feedback system. Meanwhile, PRESTAN Series 2000 adds application connectivity, allowing multiple CPR parameters to be monitored and supporting more detailed skills assessment. Laerdal Little Anne QCPR and Ambu Man Wireless are also options worth considering for programs that require technical feedback. However, if the BLS course involves certification requirements, training organizations need to verify the equipment against the certification body's regulations before making an investment decision.

Wellbeing provides and offers consultation on PRESTAN CPR manikin models, helping businesses, training centers, and healthcare facilities select equipment suitable for their BLS training objectives.

Contact Wellbeing to learn more about PRESTAN Professional Adult, PRESTAN Series 2000, and multi-age CPR manikin sets for cardiopulmonary resuscitation training.