Designed the Basic Buddy CPR Training Manikin, an affordable, lightweight, and sanitary training solution created to make CPR instruction easier to deliver at both individual and large-group scale.

The product was developed in response to direct feedback from healthcare providers and trainers who identified recurring pain points with traditional CPR manikins: they were heavy to transport, costly to purchase in quantity, and time-consuming to sanitize during and after class. Basic Buddy addressed these challenges through a simplified, cost-effective design that supported broader hands-on participation while reducing maintenance demands for instructors.

My role spanned product concept, prototyping, manufacturing development, instructional communication, and packaging. I created the initial product concept and prototypes, then worked directly with external foam manufacturers to develop the body components using the appropriate weight and performance characteristics of self-skinning foam. I also created the internal manufacturing procedures required to support production consistency, along with the instructional documentation and packaging system.

The final product featured a one-piece disposable lung and mouth protection system to support hygienic training and reduce the need for post-use sanitizing. Functional teaching details included airway opening through the head-tilt/chin-lift method, visible chest rise during ventilation, anatomical reference points for compression hand placement, and both adult and child compression capabilities.

The result was a practical, instructor-friendly CPR training manikin that combined product design, manufacturability, user education, and packaging into a complete training solution.