HWN Suggests

I’m a nurse and mom and this is what you need to know about anti-choking devices

Anti-choking suction devices have been prominent in the media as of late — marketed as an effective tool to remove an object a child or adult has choked on. A recent study has been released, with some insights into how effective two commercially available anti-choking suction devices are – the LifeVac and DeChoker.

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Featured

 It’s Unclear Whether a LifeVac Will Help in a Choking Emergency. You May Want One Anyway

If the standard first aid protocol is unsuccessful, you might consider using an anti-choking device—meant to help clear the choking person’s airway—while waiting for emergency services to arrive. Evidence on the efficacy of these devices, which generally employ suction to help dislodge objects, is mixed. But in a life-or-death situation, they may be useful as a last resort.

Articles of Interest

Stick to Heimlich Maneuver Not 'Anti-Choking' Devices, FDA Says

The FDA admitted that it is “not aware of any serious injuries reported with the use of these devices, and no deaths have been associated with the use of anti-choking devices." However, the agency is concerned that fumbling with these one-use-only devices could cost precious time in an emergency.

A systematic review on the effectiveness of anti-choking suction devices and identification of research gaps

There are many weaknesses in the available data and few unbiased trials that test the effectiveness of anti-choking suction devices resulting in insufficient evidence to support or discourage their use. Practitioners should continue to adhere to guidelines authored by local resuscitation authorities which align with ILCOR recommendations.

Anti-choking suction devices use. A pilot simulated study with parents and kindergarten teachers

The weakest step was keeping the mask fixed to the victim's airway throughout the procedure: 43.1% failed to do so with LifeVac® device and 33.3% with DeCHOKER®. The only variable with significant differences between the devices was the time spent on performing the test: a median of 9 s less with LifeVac® than with DeCHOKER® (p < 0.001). The estimated success rate was similar with both devices.

Can New Devices Match Heimlich to Stop Choking?

LifeVac and Dechoker pose alternative to abdominal thrusts.

Dechoker vs. LifeVac: Choosing an Anti-Choking Device for SMA

It’s terrifying when someone starts choking while eating, a particular risk for many people living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). If you or a loved one has SMA, being prepared to take lifesaving action is vital — could a device such as the Dechoker or LifeVac help?

Evaluation of DeChoker, an Airway Clearance Device (ACD) Used in Adult Choking Emergencies Within the Adult Care Home Sector: A Mixed Methods Case Study

Further evaluation and research would be beneficial to develop a more robust evidence base that can support ACD adoption into resuscitation guidelines.

The FDA doesn’t want you to buy anti-choking devices. Here’s why

Using anti-choking devices could waste valuable time, FDA says.

Warning over use of anti-choking suction devices on children

A review on the effectiveness of anti-choking suction devices published in the medical journal Resuscitation in February 2020 said there were “many weaknesses in the data” in the research examining the use of such devices and “few unbiased trials” that have tested their effectiveness.

Warning over use of anti-choking suction devices on children

A leading medical charity has warned there is “insufficient evidence” for the use of £70 airways suction devices that are promoted online for saving children’s lives when they are choking. The suction-based devices are already used in care homes across the country and there is a campaign for them to be more widely available, but emergency doctors are concerned that families may be misled by some of the promotional material. They say there is a lack of objective research demonstrating that they are effective and warn they may delay other life-saving treatment.

Would anti-choking devices be correctly and quickly managed by health science students? A manikin crossover trial

Untrained health science students are able to quickly and adequately use the brand-new anti-choking devices but have more difficulties in applying the current recommended FBAO protocol.