Medical Training Manikins: How to Use and Maintain One

Simulation is a powerful educational technique, and its impact is even more significant when students are equipped with the right tools. Physical and virtual models support effective training sessions for practically any subject. Just as using a digital guitar simulator is more helpful than strumming an air guitar, using manikins for training improves learning outcomes significantly more than imagined scenarios and textbooks alone.

This guide explains how to teach health sciences with a manikin and maintain your “assistant” for years to come.

What Is a Manikin?

A manikin is a model of the human body or an animal’s body. It is a separate product (and a separate spelling) from retail mannequins and typically refers to a model used for medical training or an artist’s reference figure. Highly realistic medical manikins may be made of a combination of PVC, silicone, thermoplastics, and steel. These materials create a genuine look and feel, such as joint movement and soft tissue texture. 

Schools, healthcare providers, veterinary clinics, and other educators purchase manikins to provide hands-on learning experiences for students and trainees, selecting specific models for specific lessons. Perhaps the most well-known are CPR manikins.

Why Should I Use a Training Manikin?

Educators use manikins because they’re one of the safest and most cost-effective tools for thoroughly teaching patient care and diagnosis procedures. They can be used repeatedly without significant ongoing costs, unlike preserved specimens and subscription-based digital tools.

How do manikins impact training? They bring realism and humanity to medicine, which improves students’:

• Empathy for future patients
• Readiness for a variety of scenarios
• Confidence and accuracy in executing procedures
• Retention of important concepts
• Approach to safe care

Hands-on learning leads to better outcomes for learners of all ages. Training manikins are as hands-on as it gets without creating risks for real patients.  

Using Mankins in Education: Getting Started

Finding the right manikin is the first step in effectively using one. Factors to consider include your educational goals, material quality, maintenance requirements, and cost. Depending on your budget, you may opt to buy a manikin with versatile applications, or you may need one for a specific use case, such as CPR or traumatic injury simulations.

We recommend buying medical training manikins made or distributed by reliable sources, such as Anatomy Warehouse or another high-quality supplier.

How much does a manikin cost?

Training manikin prices vary widely based on the type of manikin, its material composition, and the features it offers. High-fidelity manikins for simulating full patient care can cost $10,000 to $100,000, depending on the level of integrated technology. Simpler and more specific manikins cost far less and often include bulk rate discounts for healthcare or education systems.

10 Tips for Using Medical Training Manikins

The more humanly, realistically, and consistently you provide training with manikins, the more your pupils will value hands-on learning. Here’s how to use a manikin effectively:

1. Explain functionality: Be sure students understand how the manikin works before simulation training begins. For example, if the manikin has built-in feedback, such as lights and sounds, explain what each type of feedback means and how to respond to it.
2. Name and humanize the manikin: Improve psychological fidelity by giving the manikin a realistic name and a basic backstory. Include a family medical history, demographic information, and a few lifestyle details. Use the manikin’s name to demonstrate respect; explain treatment procedures to the manikin aloud as you would a patient. It’s a person, not a dummy!
3. Use props and moulage: From wigs to modern clothing to backdrops, props improve the realism of medical training simulations. At a minimum, carefully selected moulage is recommended, which refers to makeup, prosthetics, and other materials that mimic realistic-looking wounds, bleeding, or medical conditions. Even temporary tattoos will work as moulage!
4. Control your group size: How many individuals per manikin in a clinical simulation? Research suggests that a group of 2 to 4 is the optimal size for learning procedural skills through simulation. Slightly larger groups can be effective during debriefs. If you need to accommodate a large group, consider setting a limit of 6 people per manikin.
5. Handle with care: Always naturally arrange and move the manikin, emulating care and respect for a real patient. Avoid extreme positions such as limbs bent in the wrong direction.
6. Protect materials: Avoid applying harsh chemicals, markers, and pens to the manikin. Always follow the care instructions provided below (and by the manufacturer).
7. Balance detail with basics: When designing your simulation training, include enough detail that students can envision and act out the scenario, but don’t include detail that isn’t relevant to your objectives. Avoid unnecessary distraction.
8. Gradually increase difficulty: Start with basic simulations before attempting complex ones. Each simulation should build on the skills established in the previous one.
9. Consider how it ends: Should the manikin “die” in a simulation? This is a controversial question that research continues to explore. Even if the simulation is for resuscitation or traumatic injury treatment, some educators do not believe in allowing the manikin to die. If a simulated death is included in appropriate contexts, there’s no guarantee it will have a beneficial impact. Several bodies of research indicate that a manikin’s “death” is inconsequential to learning outcomes. No matter what direction you choose, be sure to discuss the potential for a patient’s death during your setup and debrief periods.
10. Debrief together: Every simulation exercise should end with a debrief. During this dedicated reflection time, educators should avoid lecturing or overly guiding the conversation. Instead, encourage student-led discussion and ask questions about under-explored subjects.

Manikin Storage and Maintenance

To prevent premature degradation and functional problems with medical manikins, invest time in storing and maintaining them properly.

• Most manikins come with a hard or soft-shell carrying case that serves as a storage container throughout the product’s lifetime. If you don’t have a case, use a clean storage tote with a lid.
• The ideal simulation manikin storage temperature is around 68 degrees Fahrenheit, or room temperature. However, many products can withstand colder or warmer temperatures without issue. Refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for storage temperature.

Cleaning a Manikin

When the lesson is complete, remove potentially harmful oils, dust, and other compounds before storing.

Here’s how to clean manikins:

• Drain injection pads, reservoirs, and other areas that hold liquid.
• Remove inner parts as needed – e.g., an EMS training manikin’s lung and filter. Dispose of those that need to be discarded and replaced. Wash the remaining parts according to the manufacturer’s instructions, which may involve a brief soak in a bleach solution.
• Gently wash the manikin’s outer surfaces using a soft cloth and warm, soapy water.
• Disinfect the outer surfaces with isopropyl alcohol, bleach wipes, or another product-compatible method.
• To clean electrical components, follow product instructions. Typically, you’ll avoid water in those areas and instead wipe them with a dry cloth.
• Dry the manikin thoroughly with an absorbent towel.
• Air-dry it for at least an hour or two before placing it back in the storage container.

Find Manikins and Other Teaching Resources

Whether you’re updating your current collection of simulation manikins or just getting started, we have what you need at Anatomy Warehouse! Browse our lifelike, high-quality medical simulation models and resources, and request a custom quote today.