“When simple household items can help to save lives”
“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step” (Lao Tzu)
Wednesday, 07.09.2022
Reading time 5 mins
Hi, my name is Esther. I am a Social Anthropologist and Customer Experience Professional that loves to see great ideas grow and develop.
Esther Tobler, Project LeaderIn 2021 alone, around 18 million people worldwide died due to cardiovascular problems. This represents 1/3 of all global deaths.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a key lifesaving measure for serious cardiovascular emergencies such as heart attacks, strokes, or drowning. Wherever pre-hospital cardiac arrests occur, CPR substantially increases the chances of survival.
CPR is not “rocket science” — even for laypeople. With clear instructions and regular hands-on practice, anyone can learn CPR and make sure they know what to do in an emergency. Usually, commercially distributed CPR training manikins are used for CPR training. However, these are expensive, heavy, bulky, and require maintenance – no-one has them just sitting around at home. Additionally, in certain regions (e.g., low-income, remote regions) and situations (e.g., COVID restrictions, wars), first aid courses are not easily accessible. Therefore, alternative ways to learn CPR are becoming increasingly important. Such alternative ways include for example remote learning via direct or recorded online instructions, classes taught in the community and schools or peer-led teaching. Mostly they require the use of affordable manikins for the manual practice of chest compression.
What if everyone could make their own CPR training manikin? With materials that are both very cheap and available everywhere?
Hello, my name is Reto. Since 2013, as Managing Director of the Swiss Lifesaving Society, I have been professionally involved in lifesaving and drowning prevention. Originally, I studied economics and NPO management.
Reto Abächerli, Project SponsorOur vision is to boost first aid with the help of easy-to-use, easily accessible, and easy-to build Do-it-Yourself (DIY) CPR Manikins all over the world.
With mymanikins.info, we want to provide as many people as possible with access to basic training in CPR – particularly aiming at communities who have not yet had access to such training – to secure that they have the skills and the courage to help in an emergency.
DIY CPR Manikins might not be the right solution for every situation, but we see them as a valuable addition to commercially distributed CPR training manikins – used there where it makes sense.
Our concept is simple: We support people to connect, collaborate and share – we see ourselves as “matchmakers” between researchers, interested people or organizations involved in first aid- or health topics and users, and we hope to start a big DIY CPR Manikin family that will keep growing and expanding all over the world.
We strongly believe that together we are stronger. With this in mind, we are in the process of creating a system that supports ongoing validation and further development of DIY CPR manikins by connecting the needs of users and organizations with research. With this approach, we create lasting value.
Great article! I found your perspective on this topic both enlightening and thought-provoking. The way you break down complex ideas into understandable insights is truly commendable. It’s interesting to see how these developments could shape our future. I’m particularly intrigued by your point about potential challenges and would love to dive deeper into that.
For those who are interested in exploring this topic further, I recommend checking out this resource for more detailed information: comprehensive guide. It offers additional insights that complement what’s discussed here.
Looking forward to hearing others’ thoughts and continuing this discussion. Thanks for sharing such valuable information!
Great article! I appreciate the clear and insightful perspective you’ve shared. It’s fascinating to see how this topic is developing. For those interested in diving deeper, I found an excellent resource that expands on these ideas: check it out here. Looking forward to hearing others thoughts and continuing the discussion!