NEWS – Even though I know how to use the Heimlich maneuver to help a choking victim to dislodge food from their airway, I’ve never had to use it. A couple of the drawbacks to using it is that it can be difficult to do and it can’t be used on babies or toddlers. LifeVac is a device that can safely be used on children over 22 pounds, it’s easy to use, and it’s faster.
You place the mask over the person’s mouth and nose to create a seal, push down on the handle, and then pull up. I know what you’re thinking. “It’s like a mouth plunger.” Yeeeaahh, and so it is, with one exception: it has a one-way valve so that when you push on the handle, the air escapes out of the device without pushing food further into the trachea. When you pull the handle, it then pulls the food out of the airway.
Here is a demonstration of the LifeVac:
LifeVac has thousands of reviews on Amazon and seems to be well-received by customers (4.8 stars out of 5).
If you don’t have one, you can purchase a LifeVac Home Kit from Amazon for $79.99 which includes an adult mask, a child’s mask, an adult mask for practicing, the suction device, and an instruction guide. There is also a LifeVac Travel Kit available on Amazon for $79.99 which includes a travel case, an adult mask, a child’s mask, the suction device, and an instruction guide but seems to be missing the additional adult mask for practicing.
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This looks like it uses the exact same “plunger” portion that I bought at Home Depot for $3 to unclog my sink drain: https://www.homedepot.com/p/302136270
Even still, I think it looks like a valuable device to have in the kitchen. It’s one of those items (like a fire extinguisher) that you never want to use but are grateful to have if you ever need it!
Aaron – Wow, the Home Depot sink plunger, the suction part, does look exactly the same (except for the one way valve on the LifeVac). This seems like the perfect setup for an SNL skit. “Need to unclog a toilet, a sink, or a person? Try __!”
All joking aside, I agree with you that LifeVac looks like an invaluable device to have around, just in case…
I have/had been certified for various CPR and other medical problems, but I never had to perform the Heimlich maneuver on a REAL person until the day my father choked on a steak in a restaurant. Nothing prepares you for how heavy and difficult it is to perform on a full grown adult that has lost consciousness. Thankfully I was able to dislodge the steak, but cracked my fathers head open in the process of trying to position his unconscious body.
He ended up being ok, with a couple suture strips when all is said and done, but something like this might have been very useful.
Andrew – oh my gosh, your experience seems quite terrifying! I’m so glad your father was okay. I’ve never had to perform the Heimlich maneuver either and I imagine that it would be really difficult for me too. I agree, having a LifeVac device might be helpful in situations like yours.
As a CPR instructor, I’ve been hearing about this device. Waiting to see clinical efficacy though theory makes sense. Would you have it when you need it? Placement in restaurants and schools might make sense.
Just to clarify: you stated “the Heimlich manuever (abdominal thrusts)…can be difficult to do and it can’t be used on babies or toddlers.” Yes, it does have it’s limitations with size of patient vs rescuer. It can be performed on young children. For infants, a combination of back slaps and chest thrusts are used.
Amy – thank you for the clarification!