How to Save Money on CPR Manikins: Refurbished, Used, and Rental Options

Student practicing CPR chest compressions on manikin

If you’ve ever looked at the price of a new CPR manikin and thought, "Oof, that’s a lot for a plastic person," you’re not alone. The cost of high-quality training equipment can quickly add up, especially if you're just starting out. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to buy brand-new manikins to run a professional CPR class.

With the right approach, you can save up to 50% on equipment by exploring refurbished, used, and rental options—all while staying compliant with American Heart Association (AHA) and ILCOR guidelines. Let’s break it down.

1. Where to Buy Refurbished and Pre-Owned CPR Manikins

Buying second-hand doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. In fact, several trusted suppliers offer certified refurbished manikins with warranties—so you’re not gambling on a deal from some random guy on Facebook Marketplace.

Best Refurbished Manikin Suppliers

✔️ MCR Medical – Their inventory includes warranty-backed refurbished manikins, with sensor replacements and lung bag repairs covered for a full year (Source 1).

✔️ 911 CPR & Uniforms – Offers an as-is marketplace with steep discounts. If you don’t mind minor cosmetic wear, you can save hundreds of dollars (Source 3).

✔️ First-Aid-Product.com – Negotiates bulk purchase discounts on Prestan and Laerdal manikins, making it a great option for training centers looking to stock up (Source 4).

💰 Savings Example: A brand-new Prestan Professional adult manikin costs $484.95, while a refurbished version runs $300–$350—a 38% discount that could fund 50 certification cards or a year of liability insurance (Source 8).

2. Renting CPR Manikins: A Cost-Effective Alternative

Not ready to commit to buying? Renting is an excellent way to access high-quality manikins without the upfront cost.

Best CPR Manikin Rental Programs

✔️ CPR Savers – Daily rentals start at $12/day for infant manikins and $22/day for adult Prestan manikins with feedback monitors. They even offer rental credits ($5/day) that can go toward future purchases, making it a great rent-to-own option (Source 5).

✔️ Executive CPR – Designed for large-scale training events, this company rents adult manikins at $40/day and AED trainers at $50/day, with bulk discounts of up to 20% (Source 6).

✔️ Respond Right – Available only to AHA instructors, this service provides $18–$22/day rentals but has strict decontamination protocols and steep late fees ($20/item/day) for overdue returns (Source 7).

💰 Cost Example: Renting a CPR Savers Prestan Ultralite manikin for 30 days earns $150 in rental credits, reducing the purchase price by 50% (Source 5).

3. What to Look for When Buying Used CPR Manikins

Not all second-hand manikins are created equal. Here are three key things to check before buying:

✔️ 1. Does It Have Real-Time Feedback?

The 2020 AHA guidelines require CPR manikins to have real-time compression feedback. Some used manikins may lack this feature, making them non-compliant for certification courses.

✅ MCR Medical and Prestan confirm that their refurbished manikins include working LED rate monitors (adults) or shoulder/diaper sensors (infants) (Source 8).

⚠️ Warning: eBay and private sellers often omit this detail, so be sure to ask before buying (Source 2).

✔️ 2. What’s the Warranty & Support Policy?

Full Warranty: MCR Medical offers 1-year coverage for refurbished manikins, including sensor replacements and lung bag repairs (Source 1).
Limited Warranty: Some Prestan demo units may not cover cosmetic issues (Source 8).
No Warranty: Private sales (eBay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace) usually come with zero support.

✔️ 3. Has It Been Properly Sanitized?

Used manikins must meet OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards. Ask sellers about cleaning history and decontamination protocols before buying (Source 7).

4. How to Get Free Manikins Through Nonprofit Partnerships

Did you know some American Red Cross chapters lend out CPR manikins for free?

📌 Example: The Red Cross chapter in Nashville provides 10 adult manikins for 60 days to nonprofits that host community CPR training—as long as a certified instructor oversees the class (Source 7).

🔹 Pro Tip: If you partner with a local hospital, fire department, or community center, you may also qualify for donated or loaned training equipment.

Final Thoughts: The Smart Way to Save on CPR Manikins

If you’re looking to cut costs without sacrificing quality, here’s the best approach:

🚀 Best for Startups:

✔️ Buy refurbished manikins from MCR Medical or 911 CPR & Uniforms for warranty-backed reliability.

✔️ Rent from CPR Savers if you need equipment temporarily and want a rent-to-own option.

✔️ Use Red Cross loan programs to get free manikins for nonprofit events.

💰 Best for Growing Training Centers:

✔️ Invest in bulk purchases through First-Aid-Product.com to maximize discounts.

✔️ Take advantage of Executive CPR’s bulk rental discounts for large corporate or government trainings.

✔️ Always verify feedback functionality, cleaning history, and return policies before buying second-hand.

By making smart purchasing (or renting) decisions, you can equip your CPR business affordably while maintaining high training standards. Now, go out there and teach life-saving skills—without breaking the bank!