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How to Choose the Right Manikin for Your CPR Training Business
- David Kotz
- Mar 5
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 14
When you're starting as an instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC) or American Heart Association (AHA), picking the right CPR manikin isn't just about convenience—it’s about ensuring your students learn lifesaving skills the right way. With both organizations requiring specific feedback features and anatomical accuracy, you’ll want to invest in manikins that meet current resuscitation guidelines and can withstand frequent training sessions.
After years in the field and countless hours teaching CPR, I've found that Prestan, Brayden/BigRed™, and Laerdal are the most reliable brands for new instructors. Each offers key features like real-time CPR feedback, jaw thrust capability, and diverse skin tones, while staying compliant with the AHA’s 2020 guidelines and the ARC’s training standards.[1,2,5]
Here’s what you need to know to choose the right manikin for your courses.
Understanding the Rules:
Compliance & Certification
American Heart Association's 2019 Integrated Feedback Directive
The AHA mandates that all CPR training manikins include instrumented directive feedback as of January 2019.[10] These systems measure:
Compression depth
Compression rate
Recoil
Hand placement
Manikins like the Prestan Ultralite with Feedback Piston meet these requirements with Bluetooth-enabled analytics.[5] The Brayden/BigRed™ LED CPR Manikin provides visual confirmation through LED lights that indicate proper compression depth (2–2.4 inches) and rate (100–120 per minute).[6,13]
American Red Cross Training Standards
The ARC has additional requirements, particularly for lifeguarding and CPRO courses, which teach jaw thrust maneuvers. This is a crucial skill for responding to spinal injuries in water rescues. If you're an ARC instructor, you’ll need a manikin like the Prestan Professional Jaw Thrust Manikin, which is included in many ARC instructor starter kits.[11]
ARC-approved manikins should also simulate:
Chest rise for realistic ventilations
Anatomical landmarks to help with proper hand placement [6,14]
Best CPR Manikin Brands for New Instructors
#1 Prestan: The Best All-Around Choice
Prestan is one of the most widely used brands because their manikins are:
Lightweight and portable (ideal for mobile instructors)
Cost-effective compared to other brands
Available in multiple skin tones
Prestan Top Models:
Prestan Ultralite Manikin
Weighs only 1.5 lbs per unit – easy to transport.[5]
Available with Bluetooth-enabled feedback.[5]
Sold in 4- or 12-packs with light, medium, and dark skin tones.[3,8]
Prestan Professional Series 2000
Real-time Bluetooth connectivity for multi-manikin monitoring.[3]
Jaw thrust capable (included in ARC kits).[11]
Why CPR Instructors Love Prestan:
Affordable – The Ultralite model costs 30–40% less than traditional manikins.[5]
Hygienic – Uses disposable lung bags to reduce cross-contamination.[9]
#2 Brayden/BigRed™ – The Instructor’s Favorite for Visual Feedback
Brayden/BigRed™ manikins are the flagship models for the American Red Cross, featuring innovative LED feedback systems.
Top Models
Brayden LED CPR Manikin
Chest, carotid artery, and brain light up to show effective CPR.[13]
Clicker feedback confirms compression depth.[6]
Brayden Professional Manikin
Anatomically realistic with sternal notch, and rib cage.[6]
Works with Ambu bags or Bag Valve Masks for advanced airway training.[11]
Why CPR Instructors Love Brayden/BigRed™:
Durable – Rubber torsos withstand repeated compressions.[7
Versatile – Can be used for child CPR training under ARC guidelines.[1]
#3 Laerdal: The Gold Standard for Healthcare Training like Basic Life Support
If you’re teaching healthcare professionals or advanced courses, Laerdal is a top-tier choice.
Top Models
Little Anne
Meets 2020 AHA guidelines when used with a QCPR feedback device.[7,10]
Mid-range price (~$200 per unit).[7]
Baby Anne
Infant CPR training with chest rise and mouth-to-nose ventilations.[7]
Why Instructors Love Laerdal:
Interchangeable parts – Extends lifespan.[3]
Globally recognized – Used in 85% of American Heart Association ACLS courses.[7]
Recommended Starter Kits for New Instructors
#1 American Red Cross Jaw Thrust Instructor Kit
4 - Red Cross AED Trainers with Adult and Child Adhesive Gel Pads - FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY (764500)
1 - Prestan Adult Jaw Thrust Manikins with CPR Monitors (4-Pack), Tan Skin, includes 50 Adult Lung Bags and Red Cross branded carry case (PP-JTM-400M-RC-MS)
1 - Prestan Infant Manikins with CPR Monitors (4-Pack), Tan Skin, includes 50 Infant Lung Bags and Red Cross branded carry case (PP-IM-400M-RC-MS)
4 - Ambu Adult SPUR II Bag Reservoir with Pop-Off Valve Adult Med Mask (523611030)
4 - Ambu Infant SPUR II Bag Reservoir with Pop-Off Valve Infant Mask (540212010)
8 - Adult/Child CPR Mask with O2 Inlet & Infant CPR Mask, Soft Case (765420)
#2 Prestan Instructor Kit
Two adult Prestan Professional Series CPR manikins fully compliant with AHA guidelines
Two infant Prestan Professional Series CPR manikins fully compliant with AHA guidelines
Two Prestan UltraTrainer AED training devices - pre-programmed with 5 training scenarios in English and Spanish
Starter 20-pack adult sized lung bags
Starter 20-pack infant sized lung bags
Specially designed carry case with foam inserts and repacking instruction sheet (26.5” x 15/5” x 17”)
Three-year manufacturer’s warranty against defects in workmanship or materials, fulfilled directly by MCR Medical
#3 Brayden/BigRed™ 4-Pack
4 LED feedback manikins
40 face shields & 24 batteries
Caring for Your Manikins
Investing in high-quality CPR manikins is a big step for any new instructor, and with the right care, that investment can last for years. These manikins aren’t just training tools—they’re the foundation of every class you teach, helping students develop lifesaving skills. Given the cost of a full training set, it’s essential to protect your investment by following proper cleaning, maintenance, and storage procedures. Regular upkeep ensures your manikins remain functional, hygienic, and compliant with American Heart Association and American Red Cross standards, ultimately saving you money on repairs and replacements. The better you care for your manikins, the more worthwhile your purchase becomes—ensuring they continue to serve your students well for years to come.
Remember to:
Clean: Use alcohol wipes and replace lung bags after each student.
Storage: Invest in a carrying case with wheels to protect your gear.
For new instructors, Prestan and Brayden/BigRed™ strike the best balance of affordability, compliance, and feedback features. Laerdal remains the premium choice for healthcare-focused training.
By investing in the right manikins, you’ll ensure your students receive top-quality CPR training that meets American Heart Association and American Red Cross standards. Whether you're running mobile classes, working in a training center, or teaching advanced rescue skills, having the right equipment makes all the difference. Train smart, teach with confidence, and help save lives!
SOURCES
1. https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/resources/articles/cpr-manikin-buying-guide
2. https://www.worldpoint.com/cpr-manikins-aed-training/cpr-mankins-by-type
3. https://www.aedbrands.com/blog/best-cpr-manikins-in-2023/
4. https://www.aedsuperstore.com/2019-aha-compliant-training-products.html
5. https://www.redcross.org/store/brayden-led-cpr-manikin-4-pack/765407.html
7. https://www.redcross.org/store/jaw-thrust-aed-cpr-bls-manikin-instructor-kit/765402.html
8. https://www.redcross.org/store/prestan-adult-cpr-manikin-with-monitor/761202.html
9. https://www.medisolinternational.com/training-manikins/brands.html
10. https://www.worldpoint.com/cpr-manikins-aed-training/cpr-manikins/cpr-manikin-family-packs
12. https://cardiaclife.net/cpr-manikins
13. https://www.prestan.com/products/cpr-training-manikins/prestan-instructor-kit/
The CPR to CEO Podcast is designed for educational and informational purposes only. While we share insights, strategies, and recommendations to help you grow your life-saving education business, we do not guarantee financial success or specific business outcomes. Your results will depend on various factors, including your own efforts, market conditions, and business decisions.
Any products, services, or brands mentioned on this podcast are based on our independent research and experience. We do not receive monetary compensation, sponsorships, or affiliate commissions for recommending these products. Our goal is to provide honest, practical advice to help you build a successful training business—free from outside influence.
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