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For the next few months, we’ve decided to dig into the CR4 archives and expand upon some blog posts from 2007. Back then, we published a series of lists of women inventors and now we will write full blog posts about those who have yet to be featured. Do you know of a great person to be a subject? Let us know!
Dianne Croteau invented a mannequin that helps teach people how to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in an emergency situation.
Her invention, the Actar 911, has made it easier to teach people how to learn the life-saving technique.
She was born in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada in 1962. She graduated from the Industrial Design Department at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Shortly after graduation, she started Studio Innova along with Richard Brault and Jonathan Vinden. The company offers strategic planning and creative thinking services. They offer design research and most of their work is entrepreneurial in spirit and development.
In 1989, she came up with the idea for the Actar 911. After years of working in the healthcare sector, the idea came to her. The invention is a lightweight mannequin with disposable, artificial lungs inside to simulate a real life emergency situation. The head includes a mouth opening to take in air and the chest and lungs mimic real life breathing.
Previously, the only option for CPR simulation was large, life-sized, heavy and often very expensive CPR mannequins. The Actar 911 is easy to transport. CPR courses are often given in workplaces or community centers and the equipment more often than not needs to be brought in. The Actar 911 makes it easy.
The Actar 911
The invention is still in use in many sectors today. It’s even been adapted to a smaller infant sized version for childcare-specific CPR training.
Currently, she divides her time between Studio Innova projects and teaching at both The Ontario College of Art and The Institute Without Boundaries (George Brown College).
She has also served on the board of many organizations including: The Association of Chartered Industrial Designers (Ontario), The Alex Wilson Community Garden, and Evangel Hall.
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