LONDON, UK (Team Geared Up) - Resusi Annie is the most kissed woman in the world, albeit rubber - but little did I know she’s modelled on a real French woman. The Guardian report the following quotes and I’ve “dredged up” (oops no pun intended!) some photos:

He based Anne’s face on that of a young unnamed woman who drowned in Paris’s river Seine in the 19th century.

The story goes that when the woman’s body was fished out of the water at the Quai du Louvre, the Paris pathologist found her so mesmerisingly beautiful that he ordered a moulder to take a death mask of her face. No one ever identified the perfect, blemish-free body.

Amazing! In the Laerdal company’s history of Resusci Anne, the mystery is referred to as all-important. “This seems to be the key to her lasting fascination”. It certainly is a good story - not sure I’ll be too pleased knowing the next time I practice CPR I’m doing it on the death-mask of a real 16yr old girl.

-Robin-

(Credit: Thanks to Matt G for sending me the story)