The unknown woman of the Seine – Story Lifesaving Icon Resusci anne
In the late 1950s, Norwegian toymaker Asmund Laerdal was tasked with creating a lifelike mannequin for CPR training, leading to the birth of Resusci Anne. Laerdal stumbled upon the face of the mannequin, rumored to be that of a drowned woman from the Seine River in Paris.
Resusci Anne
Resusci Anne, also known as CPR Annie, quickly became a staple in CPR training worldwide. Her impact transcended training rooms, even inspiring a famous phrase in Michael Jackson’s hit song ‘Smooth Criminal’. Laerdal Medical, the company behind Resusci Anne, continues to innovate in emergency medical training.
‘She would be proud’
Despite the uncertain origins of Resusci Anne’s face, she has played a crucial role in CPR education, with Laerdal Medical estimating that over 500 million people have been trained using Annie and similar mannequins. The impact of immediate CPR on survival rates is significant, making Annie a symbol of lifesaving worldwide.
Whether a myth or reality, Resusci Anne’s story stands as a testament to the power of training and preparedness in saving lives.