Ruth Lee Care and Equipment Notes

Ruth Lee Training Manikins Care and Maintenance

EQUIPMENT NOTE

Ruth Lee Ltd recommends the use of protective overalls in all circumstances, for all manikins. These should be seen as a ‘consumable' and if you replace them frequently, it will prolong the life of your manikin.

INSPECTION BEFORE AND AFTER USE

Visually inspect the dummies as follows:

Check that they have no tears or holes that would interfere with their handling.

Check that none of the seams have become un-stitched and that the stitching is not worn down.

Check that nothing has become embedded in the body of the manikin.

Check that none of the limbs are loose and that no part of the manikin is likely to fall loose during drills.

CLEANING & STORING

The manikins are manufactured using a sturdy waterproof, Polyester that is easy to clean and decontaminate. The protective overalls can be easily removed and are machine washable at 40c, do not tumble dry.

If the manikin does become soiled, wipe it down with soapy water and hang up to dry.

If the manikin becomes soiled with oil or other similar substances, carefully clean these off using a suitable cleaning fluid before washing with soapy water to remove traces of the cleaning fluid. Please be aware that bleach or caustic based cleaning fluids will start to have a detrimental effect on the fabric integrity.

If the manikin gets wet during use or through cleaning, hang it up to dry in a well-ventilated place. The manikin should dry quickly.

Although the manikin is made from tough, waterproof Polyester, always ensure that it is completely dry before stowing.

DECONTAMINATION AFTER USE

If the manikin has been exposed to hazardous substances during the exercise, it must be decontaminated with the rest of the equipment. If the manikin has absorbed the substances, seek specific instructions from the Hazmat Officer.

CARE & MAINTENANCE

Do not deliberately drop or abuse the manikin. You should treat them the same as you would a live victim!

Do not expose the manikin to fire, excessive heat or hazardous substances. If the manikin becomes contaminated, it must be decontaminated before being handled again.

DAMAGE & REPAIR

Ruth Lee manikins are made from tough, durable materials – but as with any product, regular use will add to their general wear and tear given the activities you use them for. Ruth Lee offer a range of products which can help to prolong the life of your dummy – such as wellington boots, overalls and drag protectors.

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTE RE WATER RESCUE MANIKINS:

Water rescue manikins are designed to allow the ingress of water during use; it is desirable that this water is allowed to drain out after use. To aid this process, it is recommended that the manikins are hung up using the large webbing loop to the back and that the wellington boots are removed.

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTE RE COVID19:

During the global COVID19 Pandemic, you may wish to take extra precautions during and after all training sessions (in addition to your own PPE requirements). Manikins are constructed from a polyester fabric which will degrade if you use bleach or chlorine based products, so these are not recommended for cleaning the manikin. However, we would suggest using hot soapy water to wash the manikin at the end of each training session - making sure it is hung to dry thoroughly afterwards. During training, you may wish to use bleach free multi surface cleaners or wipes ( for example, Dettol surface cleanser would be suitable) to wipe down the manikin between each participant. This may help to minimize the risk of cross-contamination - although the use of gloves and masks may also be advised depending on the training scenario. Remember that overalls and pajamas are also machine washable and it is advised that you wash them between each training session.