On May 6th, 2026 a 12 year old boy choked on a chicken fingers and fries resulting in a total obstruction. Protocol was followed. LifeVac dislodged the obstruction on its first attempt! The child's mother described the incident as follows:
“The incident occurred after I’d finished making dinner, and was cleaning up the kitchen. My back was to the room when he appeared behind me, holding his throat, slightly bent over and looking panicked, unable to make any sound. I immediately knew he was choking and started back blows, but after four aggressive blows I wasn’t going to mess with the Heimlich - I wanted the blockage out as soon as possible. While I ran for the LifeVac, his older brother continued back blows. I told him to lay down on the kitchen rug quickly while I popped the LifeVac mouthpiece on, warned him it might hurt but to hold still, then pressed the plunger and yanked as hard as I could. Immediately the wad of unchewed fries and chicken tender came up and he rolled to his side vomited. He was completely unable to breathe or make any noise until the blockage was cleared. You often see depictions of people making gasping noises but it’s not actually like that at all. It’s hard to not momentarily panic when back blows aren’t working. No amount of external force, save the LifeVac, was able to dislodge the blockage. I am so thankful I had the LifeVac in my home, or I don’t think my son would still be alive.
He is doing just fine now thankfully, I don’t think he understands how gravely serious that could have been but we had another discussion about carefully chewing his food and not putting so much food in his mouth at one time. To say I am thankful is an understatement, today is my birthday and to think without the LifeVac I’d likely be making funeral arrangements for my son today instead of celebrating is sobering. I truly believe most people are completely unaware just how serious choking incidents are; I’m all for visibility. Thank you again, truly, for this lifesaving product. “
Lindsey M.
