Have you ever wondered why CPR training manikins bear the serene face they do? The story behind Resusci Anne, the iconic CPR manikin, intertwines mystery, tragedy, and innovation.
In the late 19th century, the body of a young woman was recovered from the River Seine in Paris. With no signs of violence, her death was presumed a suicide. Captivated by her peaceful expression, a pathologist at the Paris Morgue created a plaster death mask of her face. This mask, known as "L’Inconnue de la Seine" (The Unknown Woman of the Seine), became a cultural icon, adorning the homes of artists and writers across Europe. Her enigmatic smile drew comparisons to the Mona Lisa, and her likeness inspired numerous literary and artistic works.
Fast forward to the 1950s, Norwegian toy maker Åsmund S. Lærdal was inspired to develop a realistic manikin for CPR training after saving his son who nearly drowned. Collaborating with physicians Peter Safar and James Elam, pioneers of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, Lærdal sought a face for the manikin that would be both lifelike and approachable. Recalling the serene visage of L’Inconnue, he chose her face for the manikin, believing it would encourage trainees to engage more readily with the practice of life-saving techniques.
The first Resusci Anne was introduced in 1960 and revolutionised CPR training, making it accessible and standardised worldwide. Her face, once a symbol of mystery, became known as 'the most kissed face' in history due to its widespread use in resuscitation training.
Today, Resusci Anne remains a vital tool in medical education, embodying a blend of art, history, and life-saving science. The transformation of L’Inconnue' image from a tragic figure to a symbol of hope and survival underscores the profound impact of combining human empathy with innovation.
As with all good stories, there’s a final, romanticised twist. According to one lesser-known version of the legend, the drowned woman was an identical twin from Liverpool who had eloped to France with a wealthy suitor. She was never heard from again. Years later, her sister visited Paris and was shocked to see the face of her lost twin on display outside an artist’s studio — eternally youthful, while she had aged. Whether true or not, the tale only adds to the enduring mystique of the woman behind the mask.