If you have ever attended a first aid training course, chances are you’ve met Little Anne- the world’s most famous training mannequin. She has helped millions of people across the globe learn the lifesaving skills of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and her story is just as fascinating as her purpose.
Resusci Anne was first created in 1960 by the Norwegian toymaker Åsmund Laerdal in collaboration with Dr. Bjørn Lind and Dr. Peter Safar, often referred to as the “father of modern CPR.” Laerdal was inspired after saving his young son from drowning and recognised the need for a safe, realistic way to practice emergency resuscitation techniques.
Anne became the answer. Her lifelike design allowed trainees to rehearse chest compressions and rescue breaths in a way that no other tool at the time could replicate. She quickly became a standard fixture in first aid classrooms worldwide.
The genius of Resusci Anne lies in her realism and accessibility. Trainees can:
The muscle memory created during training with Anne helps bystanders react faster and more effectively.
One of the most striking details about Anne is her face. It is said to have been modelled after the “L’Inconnue de la Seine” – an unidentified young woman pulled from the River Seine in Paris in the 19th century. Her serene expression became a symbol of mystery and beauty, and over time, her likeness evolved into the face of the world’s most important training dummy.
Over 60 years later, Resusci Anne is still at the heart of CPR training. Modern versions now include:
Thanks to Resusci Anne, countless lives have been saved by ordinary people who found themselves in extraordinary situations. Her legacy continues every time someone steps forward to learn CPR- and that someone could be you.
If you fancy meeting Anne for yourself and learning these vital lifesaving skills, why not join our next Emergency First Aid at Work course? You'll get hands-on experience with the world's most famous training mannequin, expert guidance from our instructors, and the confidence to act when every second counts.
