The Challenge
Laerdal’s current AED training offer has remained unchanged for more than a decade. In my role as a design lead, I uncovered the pains and gains of the different user groups that interact with AED training solutions and led the discovery experiments to minimize product risks.
I worked together with technical team leads, product managers, and multiple product teams (physical and digital) to deliver a new offering for basic defibrillation training.
This couldn’t have been possible without my partners in crime Mafalda Sá and Ingeborg Skjæveland, which took over the redesign of the QCPR App.
The solution
The AED Trainer helps build basic competency in using an AED device as part of more efficient BLS, First Aid, and Community CPR programs. Simple enough for bystanders and powerful enough for professionals, the hand-held device can be used for standalone AED training or as part of CPR scenarios integrated with the QCPR app.
Currently, the AED market is saturated with many brands and models.
The AED market is currently flooded with many brands and models. Each AED brand offers a replica unit for training purposes for training centers to simulate real-life scenarios for students of basic CPR courses. These devices are generally expensive so purchasing a range of these can be a big investment. Despite the steep cost of these trainers, the learning objectives for course students are extremely simple: Switch on the device, follow the voice prompts, place the pads correctly, and press the shock button if advised.
Instructors purchase multiple brands of AED Trainers so learners understand they all work similarly. Managing so many devices can be challenging: each device requires a separate remote control, which generally leads to chaotic situations in the classroom. Instructors must supervise several training groups at the same time and adjust the sequence of audio prompts for each device depending on what decisions the learners are making. As each device uses a different remote control, this leads to significant delays during the simulation as instructors may overlook some poor learner performance. In the words of an anonymous CPR training instructor:
"Right now, there is no such thing as a universal AED remote. If there was, I would be in heaven. I'm juggling multiple remote controls with two hands."
Therefore, How might we empower instructors to deliver a realistic and seamless AED training experience, enabling participants to master the skills required to operate an AED effectively?
Why should learners train on a specific model if everything they are supposed to learn is to press the ON button and follow the voice prompts?
Introducing AED Trainer by Laerdal
A one-for-all AED Trainer
AED Trainer helps build basic competency in using an AED device as part of more efficient BLS, First Aid, and Community CPR programs. It is built using conventions from the market-leading AEDs. Its unobtrusive appearance allows it to look like any AED and not be confused with a real AED device.
A classroom-integrated solution
Simple enough for bystanders and powerful enough for professionals, the hand-held device can be used for standalone AED training or as part of CPR scenarios, integrating with the QCPR app all Laerdal’s resuscitation training manikins.
Set it up in seconds
The AED Trainers are ready-to-go and immediately available to be set up from the QCPR App. No connection to the AED Trainers is needed to adjust the settings for the class.
A more sustainable solution
While AED Trainer will both save instructor time and help trainees save lives, each device will also save resources. The AED Trainer design is part of Laerdal’s organization goal towards carbon neutrality and more circular solutions.
-86% CO2 emissions
Compared to the previous AED Trainer 2.
60% Recycled plastic content
All ABS plastic parts contain at least 60% post-consumer recycled ABS.
Easy reparability
The main electronic components have been integrated into only 3 main parts, so technical services can efficiently replace the components by just removing 6 equal screws.
Monomaterial transport case
Every single component of the case is made of 100% PET, making it extremely easy to recycle.
Process highlights
Working with such a product has required an enormous amount of work put into design research, physical and digital prototypes, experiments, user testing, and team coordination. Here are a few snapshots of this adventure.
Embedding sustainability into the design process
At Laerdal, we (and I) firmly believe in embedding sustainability into the design process from day one, setting ourselves apart from many other companies that treat it as an afterthought. Sustainability is not just an added layer or a checklist for us; it is a fundamental principle that guides our every decision and action. From the initial brainstorming sessions to the final product launch, we consider the environmental impact, social responsibility, and economic viability of our designs. A product shall not only be desirable, feasible, and viable to succeed nowadays: I strongly believe sustainability shall be an integral part of today’s product design strategies too.
LCA-driven decisions
We utilized our evidence-based Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) tool to evaluate different concept directions. By creating rough calculations we could easily see which decisions would be the least CO2 intensive.
Optimizing PCB design with user needs in mind
To make the AED Trainer more compact, we cleverly arranged the components on the PCB, ensuring a smaller size without sacrificing user experience. Despite the reduction, we ensured to meet all user needs for intuitive and effective training.
Enhanced serviceability and simplified components
We kept it simple for Laerdal's technical services by using just five screws to access the internal electronics, now consolidated into three modules: the main board, speaker module, and pad connector module.
Sustainability thinking embedded into the transport case
We created the AED Trainer's transport case using a single material, making it highly recyclable. Yet, we didn't compromise on the product's perceived quality, ensuring users see it as a top-notch device. During the design process, we iterated on different ways to pack the product together that are representative of real AED units to increase realism in training.
Keeping AED trainer users close to the process
My design journey revolved around putting users in the spotlight from day one. Through participatory methods, we engaged them in interviews, remote workshops, and user tests to validate and refine our ideas.
