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.
Small Play-Doh and 2 straws
Nose and nostrils/nasal passage made – Then “nose” placed in the freezer to solidify
PUT IN THE FREEZER FOR A WHILE TO SOLIDIFY
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.
Now you drill Watermelon Man’s Trachea opening and insert his PVC trachea
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
Insert the PVC (Trachea) into the trachea you drilled.
Ready to place BVM mask.
Head tilted bag – Watermelon Man bagged – WITHOUT GOOD SUCTIONING (See fluid that got blown into the lungs)!
“Head” turned to the side to clear the airway with gloved hand/fingers
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 more complex airway
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
This shows the “rescuer” the benefit of two-handed / two rescuer bagging.
When you’re done, you can cut Watermelon Man open to review airway anatomy – and eat the watermelon! (I would!)
