just watched a story on bbc breakfast about a couple who lost their kid, 9 month old, due to choking at nursery
the couple set up a foundation to get lifevac's put inside all nurseries
"As of June 2023, the voluntary restrictions on the LifeVac anti-choking device have been lifted, meaning that this device may again be made available for purchase on the wider UK market"
Oliver's foundation is the one they set up
(simple tool that could save lives)
https://www.oliversfoundation.org.uk/post/uk-mhra-release-statement-on-airway-clearance-devices
they aren't cheap either
Why is LifeVac so expensive?
The main cost in the LifeVac unit is in manufacturing and importing the patent pending one-way valve assembly. These are only manufactured in the US and the UK (under license).
LifeVac isn't the only one on the market DeChocker is another one
The DeChoker resulted in gross injury to the tongue and failed to remove the obstruction in all trials. LifeVac was successful in removing the barium‐moistened saltines but failed to remove all other foreign bodies. Both devices applied significant pressure to the tongue.
@ecksmc This is a difficult problem.
I will add that everything matters in a situation like this including #gravity. When a child is lying on their back, a face-hugging device to suction out a blockage isn't likely to work well. Turning the child over so gravity is working to remove the blockage, not against it, alongside such a device should increase its effectiveness.
Of course all the pictures show the child lying on their back face up because that's the easiest way to apply the devices. 🙄
@ecksmc: DeChoker.
Sounds like a former leader of South Africa.
while watching that it reminded me of this
Warning over use of anti-choking suction devices on children
British medical charity says there is insufficient evidence on effectiveness or safety in family settings
(that article has been updated see footnote)
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/feb/06/warning-over-use-of-anti-choking-suction-devices-on-children