The lights in the conference room went up and there stood Robert holding a life size plastic doll.
“Everyone, you already know this young lady, Resusci Anne we call her. Undoubtedly you’ve practiced mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on her at one time or another. Now, as part of your continuing CPR training, you’re going to work on her again. Is that clear?”
Nearly a dozen people wearing informal business attire, only two neckties among them, nodded or murmured assent. They were participants in an annual re-certification program Rob taught employees of large corporations in Silicon Valley.
“As you can tell, Anne here is a shapely brunette with the sweetest face.” She stood next to him at about shoulder height. He raised her arm in greeting and a giggle went up from the back row. “She’s very lifelike, but in actuality, nothing more than a collection of skin-colored plastic, some wires and metal joints.”
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He placed the large doll backside down on the floor, then leaned back on his haunches to review his efforts. “Ladies and gentlemen, the final segment of your instruction has now begun. Your re-recognition in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation will be complete in,” he glanced at his watch, “little more than half an hour.”
A grim silence greeted this statement.
“Don’t all applaud at once,” he added, which elicited some chuckles. “We’ve been studying hard for two hours. Now comes the fun part.”
