AHA Feedback Manikin Requirements

All AHA Instructors aligned with APHE TC must follow the AHA requirements for adult manikins. 

According to Part 1 of the AHA BLS Instructor Manual:

"All AHA ECC courses require that manikins and equipment allow demonstration of the core skills (e.g. airway management, correct hand placement, compression depth, chest recoil). The AHA requires the use of an instrumented directive feedback device or manikin in all AHA courses that teach the skills of adult CPR. The AHA neither endorses nor recommends a particular brand of manikin or other equipment. The decision of which brand or model of equipment to use is the responsibility of the Training Center."

And Part 4 of the AHA BLS Instructor Manual:

"Evaluating depth and recoil in the absence of a feedback device is unreliable. To increase the validity and reliability of the test, you must use commercial feedback devices or manikins that have the capability to objectively evaluate depth and recoil. High-fidelity manikins, with lights or an electronic display that indicates correct depth and recoil, are highly recommended. Manikins with a depth indicator that makes a clicking sound when compressions are deep enough are acceptable."

This means that the AHA requires that every certification class that includes Adult CPR/AED is taught with manikins with feedback devices that allow the instructor to
- hear (click) or see (external display or an app) the depth of compressions, and
- see (light in shoulder, external display, wrist band or an app) the rate of compressions.

Several brands of manikins and accessories meet this requirement. Please review some suggestions here.

Any AHA Instructors aligned with APHE TC should email pictures and descriptions of any other products to TC@aphed.com so those items can be approved prior to purchase.