The use of LifeVac, a novel airway clearance device, in the assistance of choking victims aged five and under: Results of a retrospective 10-year observational study

Abstract

Background: Choking is a leading cause of injury and death among children under the age of five. Despite notable advances in technology, regulations, and education, the prevalence of choking incidents and related fatalities persists as a global issue, demanding the implementation of improved assistance methods. This study aims to assess the efficacy of an innovative airway clearance device, LifeVac, in aiding children aged 5 and under in choking emergencies. Subjects and Methods: LifeVac LLC maintained a comprehensive database of voluntary reports documenting the utilization of their device in choking emergencies over 10 years, collected through a dedicated website. Collected data included the age and sex of the choking victim, preexisting medical conditions, nature of the object causing airway obstruction, whether basic life support protocol was followed before employing the LifeVac, number of pulls required to dislodge the obstructing object, and adverse events. Results: A total of 299 children were reported to have received assistance with the LifeVac device in choking emergencies. The age range of the assisted children varied from 3 days old to 5 years. One hundred and fifty-seven children were boys. There were 19 reports of preexisting conditions. The most common obstructing objects were plastic, mucus, candy, meat, and fruits. The number of pulls required to successfully dislodge the object ranged from 1 to 10. No failures were reported. Conclusions: LifeVac should be considered a valuable complement to standard life support techniques in choking emergencies, particularly for at-risk groups such as children under the age of 5.