Choking Prevention: Does LifeVac Work? Learn Skills That Can Save a Life
When it comes to CPR classes, three key life-saving skills are always on the agenda:
How to respond if someone stops breathing
How to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
How to help a choking victim
Of these, the one that strikes the deepest chord—especially with parents—is choking. And I can understand why. The stats are sobering: around 4,000 people in the U.S. die each year from choking, with 3,000 of those being children. Even more heartbreaking, at least one child dies every single day in the U.S. from choking on food.
The good news is that choking is often preventable if you know what to do, like performing abdominal thrusts or back slaps for infants.
A Brief History of Choking Relief
The method we now call the Heimlich maneuver was introduced in 1974 by thoracic surgeon Dr. Henry Heimlich. Before that, back slaps were the go-to approach. But Dr. Heimlich believed back slaps could push an object further down the airway. He theorized that upward abdominal thrusts, which force air from the lungs, would be more effective in dislodging an object.
To test his idea, he used anesthetized dogs (yes, really), inserting objects into their airways and using abdominal thrusts to remove them. It worked—and after publishing his findings, his technique gained widespread recognition, with organizations like the American Heart Association (AHA) and American Red Cross endorsing it as the best way to handle choking emergencies.
Over the years, guidelines have evolved. The Red Cross, for instance, now recommends a combination of back slaps and abdominal thrusts for choking victims.
The Buzz About Anti-Choking Devices
Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about anti-choking devices like LifeVac. These gadgets work by creating suction to dislodge an object from the airway. Advocates claim they’re a helpful alternative for cases where traditional methods aren’t effective—such as with pregnant women, wheelchair users, or frail individuals.
However, there’s little clinical evidence to support their effectiveness. Neither the AHA nor the Red Cross endorse them, primarily because:
They could delay the use of proven methods like abdominal thrusts.
Improper use might cause harm, such as tissue damage or pushing the object further down the airway.
That said, some experts suggest these devices could be a last resort, but they’re not a substitute for knowing how to respond in real-time with techniques that have stood the test of time.
Real-Life Experience Matters
I’ve been teaching CPR for 35 years, and I’ve seen firsthand how effective abdominal thrusts and back slaps can be. In fact, I’ve used choking relief techniques three times myself—including on my own son when he choked on a jelly bean in the middle of a grocery store.
Over the years, I’ve also heard countless stories from my students about how they’ve saved lives thanks to the skills they learned in class. Every year, I get emails and calls from people who’ve been in life-or-death situations and knew exactly what to do.
If you take away just one thing from this post, let it be this: Everyone needs to know how to help a choking victim.
It’s a skill that can save a life—your child’s, a friend’s, or even a stranger’s.
So instead of relying on a gadget that might not work, invest in learning these simple, time-tested techniques. You’ll gain the confidence to act when it matters most.
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