About Your Fleximan Manikin

COMPONENTS OF FLEXIMAN MANIKIN

A textured head, flexible neck, and base (bum board).

The neck has a stylized yet full anatomical range of motion (ROM).
The head and base with correct use and due care will last for many years.
The base may be reversed on the neck. The nuts may then be positioned over the back of a suitable chair for chair practice.
With use the neck eventually fatigues. This process is accelerated with incorrect use such as rotation greater than 100 degrees or excessive force.
The manikin neck may be reordered separately and easily changed – live human necks are not so easily replaceable.

USERS

Introductory students: The manikin is most useful during the introductory period where students have the least manual skill and may be nervous.

Advanced students: who want to quickly revise procedure setups.
Remedial Students: who want extra practice.
Fatigued/injured students.
Tutors: can demonstrate on a consistent platform.

SUGGESTED USE

Students work in pairs or small groups with a manikin. Two or three cervical manikins are required for each practical tutorial of six to eight students. This allows sufficient opportunity for manikin practice.

Awaken the touch! Students are encouraged palpate the texture of the head.
The manikin stabilizing student monitors the practicing student for correct technique including:
- The setup
  - Patient (manikin) position
  - Practitioner position
  - Contacts on the patient (manikin)
  - Vector or line of drive

And the delivery (thrust)
- Speed and amplitude
- Control

Correct repetition creates proficiency. Get rid of the shakes!
When proficient on the manikin, setups etc. maybe then attempt on a willing human subject if desired.
Setups on the manikin may be prone, supine or in the chair.

CARING FOR YOUR FLEXIMAN

UNPACKING

The manikin is packed assembled with the bum-board reversed. As the flexible neck may have been twisted in transit for many days you may notice some deformation. This is not permanent and will unwind in a couple of days.

Undo the nuts on the neck and install the bum-board for use. The nuts need only be finger tight.

STORAGE

The manikin may be stored horizontally or hung vertically by the hole on the bum-board, for example on a coat hook.

CLEANING

Grime may build up from hands using the device. A light detergent on a cloth (microfiber is best) may be used to clean the head and neck periodically. The foam will not absorb water so the fabric can be made quite wet if desired. Allow to completely dry out of the sun if this is done. Do not pack in a confined space if wet as this may degrade the cotton.

Methylated spirits (and the like) lightly applied through a spray bottle may be used as a sterilization aid to help mitigate cross-contamination between hands and as an infection control procedure. Do not use acetone-based solvents.

OPERATIONAL CARE

The neck and head are designed to and will operate properly for long periods time if used within the range of motion of normal human anatomy! Although difficult, it is possible to break the replaceable neck by twisting it 360 + degrees. Performing the exorcist manoeuvre is not recommended!

Do not drop the manikin or the head may fracture! It can however be easily repaired. The preferred classroom substrate should have some compliance such as vinyl or carpet.

The device is quite and is quite hard: Do not swing the manikin about in the classroom or drop on toes!

The paintwork, if scraped along rough surfaces such as concrete will be ground off. This will not affect the functionality or durability and will be cosmetic in nature.

SUMMARY

Fleximan Cervical Manikin

DO	DON’T
Do - Keep to normal human ROM.	Do not - Perform any exorcist manoeuvres.
Do - Work in pairs: patient position, practitioner position, contacts, line-of-drive, thrust.	Do not - Swing or drop the manikin.
Do - Notice subtle differences between thrusts, listen for the sound.	Do not - Expect the manikin to feel like a ‘real’ human, all patient necks are unique.
Do - Practice a lot

About Fleximan Manikin