Your child choking - it's a parent's worst nightmare.
And, if you’re a parent (or just on social at all), you’ve seen ads for new “choking treatment” devices, such as the Lifevac and the DeChoker, marketed to help in these moments.
But — do they WORK? What should you really do, when your child is choking?
Here’s my take, as an ER doctor (and mom of 3).
- How I recommend handling choking, overall
- Reviewing the “dechoking devices”
- Intro / Overall Summary
- Demo of the devices (on my husband LOL)
- Reviewing the published data – and the HARMS of these devices. Plus, if you DO want to buy one of these, which one I like better than the other.
**As promised, I also created a Choking Quick Guide, so you have this in your back pocket – find that below the video 🙂
how to handle choking (with techniques)
review of "choking treatment devices"
(1) Intro video on "Choking treatment devices"
Overall, Lifevac claims that they have saved 1,400 lives. I’m not going to dispute that – that’s wonderful. However, having watched some of the videos, I do question the quality of choking first aid they were doing, and wonder if they would have saved the child anyway, with just really good standard choking first aid.
My biggest concern with these? These are NOT FDA approved (@ Video 3), nor recommended by any major medical group. Most importantly, I’d never want someone to buy a Lifevac or Dechoker, and then think that they DON’T have to know Choking First Aid / CPR, nor to delay intervening with Heimlich, back blows, etc, because they’re trying to find or spend excessive time with this device. Please do NOT do that.
However, if you want to have one as a back-up to standard care, just in case, (because Choking First Aid is not 100% cure either), that’s ok! Just please – view them as a BACKUP. I give instructions on which one I’d get in Video 3, and how to take care of choking, with or without one of these devices, in the video on “how to handle choking”, up top.
*Of note, I spoke with the team at Lifevac, and they have since responded saying that they advocate that the Lifevac should ONLY be used after “standard choking therapies” (back blows, heimlich, etc), have been tried.
(2) Demo of "choking treatment devices"
(3) published data on "choking treatment devices"
My Choking 101 Reference
And….drumroll….your Choking Quick Guide – because this is NOT the type of information that you need to feel confused about. As always, I put it in multiple versions (each have the same info) – so you can download it in whatever format suits you!! Click HERE to download! A note on learning this stuff: More than anything, I CANNOT emphasize enough how important taking a first aid / CPR course is. If you had to choose between a course and buying one of these devices, then 1,000,000% (I know. that’s not a thing), I would say PLEASE take a course. There are more options than ever now!
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All my best,
- Dr. Darria
NO ADVICE: This resource contains general information about medical conditions and treatments for educational and entertainment purposes, and is not a substitute for hands-on training by a certified professional. The information is not advice and should not be treated as such. If you think you may have a specific medical condition, or symptoms of such, consult a medical provider. If experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 and seek immediate medical assistance from a healthcare professional.
