On July 21st, 2025 a 76-year-old woman choked on a chicken wing resulting in a total obstruction. Protocol was followed. LifeVac successfully dislodged the obstruction on its second attempt. The woman described the incident as follows:
“I was home alone, choked on chicken wing, and could not breathe or talk. Tried to do the Heimlich maneuver with a chair, it did not work. I was in a panic and went to wall where LifeVac hung. I never read the directions (it was given to me by my daughters just in case. I laughed when I got it for Christmas several years ago, not laughing now). I attempted to use it with the adult mask, nothing happened. Then I tried again, a bit differently, it worked enough that I could breathe. I called 911, could hardly talk but they sent an ambulance which took me to the hospital. I was still unable to swallow; saliva was pouring from my mouth. The ambulance people said if I did not use the LifeVac I would be dead. When I got to the hospital, I still was drooling and talking (not well, hardly at all). I stayed there for hours until I vomited. The staff at the hospital also told me I was lucky to be alive; it most definitely was due to the LifeVac. I now have read the directions. After vomiting they did an x-ray of the esophagus. Only a slight hiatal hernia, no blockage. They allowed me to leave the ER and go home. Thank you for saving my life.”
E.T.
