Frequently Asked Questions

LifeVac came to close the “gap” that always existed after and/or in case of failure of Heimlich maneuver.

What was the “gap”?

Foreign body remained in the airway of the choking victim, completely blocking it, resulting to lack of oxygen which lead to almost certain Brain Damages, which in order to be avoided required use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

We all are!

Although the majority of choking occurs in the very young and the elderly, no one is totally immune, not even healthy young adults.

Swallowing is a complex action that most of us take for granted. A sudden gasp and a foreign object can be inhaled. Nothing is for granted!

These facts are proven and recorded by many independent international organizations and agencies all over the planet.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Choking is one of the five leading causes of unintentional injury death.

Particularly in the European Union data show that:

60% of the cases in children are caused by food related hazards, with the respective figure for adults to be around 85%.

30% of the cases in children are caused by non-food related hazards like plastic and small metal parts, coins and toys, with the respective figure for adults to be around10%.

10% of the cases in children are caused by other causes, with the respective figure for adults to be around 5%.

So every year it is estimated that around:

400 children (14 years or younger) die from choking.

50.000 children (14 years or younger) have a choking episode.

3.000 adults die from choking on food.

280.000 adults have a choking episode.

So YES Choking is a BIG problem

More information can be found by going to our “About Choking” section

Choking is a form of suffocation/asphyxia due to obstruction of the respiratory airway. It is caused by inhalation and/or ingestion of a foreign object that partially or completely blocks the airway, the entrance to the trachea – respiratory passage – usually between pharynx and bifurcation of trachea.

LifeVac can be used in any case but mainly in case of a Complete Airway Obstruction.

Complete Airway Obstruction usually occurs when a foreign object is inhaled and becomes stuck (like a cork) between the vocal cords leading the victim not to be able to breathe. Removal of the foreign object is impossible without assistance and/or medical care.

Choking is a very dangerous life threatening medical situation which leads to respiratory suffocation and if not addressed “promptly and appropriately” in cardiac arrest.

In this case Choking requires fast, appropriate action.

LifeVac is THE lifesaving apparatus that can by used by anyone available to save a Choking Victim.

NO

Everybody can use LifeVac because it doesn’t need any special training or medical knowledge as it can be applied with three (3) easy moves and without any extra effort.

LifeVac comes with clear instructions and can be quickly mastered by anyone in an emergency.

More information can be found by going to our “How to use LifeVac” section.

LifeVac has little penetration in the Global Market, only recently, in 2014, it has been categorized and registered as Medical Device Class I in USA from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and from 2016 carries a CE conformity certificate under directive EC 93/42/EEC of the European Union after registered, in 2015, at the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and yet it has made us proud because for the sake of us all, when it had to be used, LifeVac has saved over 500 lives worldwide!

LifeVac is a single use lifesaving apparatus, produced in the United States of America and categorized as Medical Device Class I, that has revolutionized, for the first time ever, the way Choking is treated.

When LifeVac is used to treat a choking victim it is recommended that it must be replaced to avoid cross-contamination infections. However if “disinfected” it can be reused with the same efficiency.

LifeVac is currently recommended for any choking victim over 10kgs.

LifeVac cannot control the use of the product and therefore, the use of this device on victims under 10kgs is at the user’s own risk.

More information can be found by going to our “About LifeVac” section