This shows you how to turn an inexpensive, medium-size watermelon into a fun and challenging suction and BVM trainer.
What follows is the step-by-step process to create a Watermelon Man
What you need:
- A medium size watermelon, about the same size as a human head;
- A BVM with the mask(s) you want to use with Watermelon Man;
- A marker pen to trace the mask in the appropriate place and draw where you want to place the nose;
- A small container of Play-Doh ($.50) to mold a nose; Once you mold it, put it in the freezer for a while for best results (rigidity; then, affix it to the watermelon with 2 large nails to hold it in place
- 2 flexible straws that you cut and inset through the Play-Doh to create nasal passages that lead to the back of Watermelon Man’s throat;
- A piece of small PVC pipe cut to serve as the trachea;
- A drill with a large boring bit the same diameter as the PVC pipe you select to serve as the trachea. This ensures a tight fit and no air or fluid leakage.

Trace the mask outline and mark where to place the nose and drill the 2 holes for the straws/”nostrils”
Cut out the mouth only – NOT the nose area.
You now have a nice, sloppy airway ready to be suctioned (first) then “Bagged”!
Drill 2 small holes to thread the straws through and then stich the 2 long nails through the top of the “nose” – into the watermelon – to anchor it.

DUCT Tape the PVC pipe to a large Zip lock bag – to create the lungs (that will inflate as you bag – AND show the “bagger” how much fluid they allowed to get in the lungs (if they do not suction well

Head tilted bag – Watermelon Man bagged – WITHOUT GOOD SUCTIONING (See fluid that got blown into the lungs)!

Now have the “bagger” try to manage the more complex Z-cut airway (with a poor seal capability) with one hand to seal it.

The challenge of one-handed bagging when the seal is not good and air is leaking out around the mask – Forces the “bagger to go to a two-handed / two rescuer operation