The lifesaving airway clearance device for parents, carers, and professionals
The vision of LifeVac® came from Arthur Lih, founder and CEO of LifeVac (USA), who heard about a woman in a hospital weeping following the death of her young son, after choking on a simple grape.
The reason for this tragic death was that the grape had become lodged in his windpipe and could not be dislodged. Once Arthur heard the story he set out to invent an apparatus that could clear the airway in the event of choking and save lives. Arthur, Dr Brody (engineer), and a few close friends, set out to bring LifeVac® to the public by establishing a research and development facility in Springfield Gardens, New York. It is here that they produce the LifeVac® airway clearance device to distribute around the world. Their goal is to put this simple device into the hands of everyone, to save lives.
LifeVac Australia was established in 2016 to make this life-saving technology accessible to all Australians - from remote areas, cattle stations, country towns and islands, to metropolitan areas, and everywhere in between. LifeVac Australia gained the necessary listing with the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) to distribute LifeVac® in Australia, and since then has gone on to save many Australian lives.
Saving lives across Australia
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In Australia, choking is the second leading accidental cause of death in children under 14 years (11.1%) and the leading accidental cause of death in children under 1 year old, accounting for 40 child deaths annually.
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Choking is also the second leading cause of premature death in aged care in Australia (8%). While over 11 million Australians are particularly susceptible to choking due to pregnancy, age, and/or profound disability, obesity, or being alone.
In 0-4 minutes of an obstruction blocking of air, brain damage is possible. In 4-6 minutes brain damage is likely and in 6-10 minutes brain damage is probable.
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In 10 minutes there is probably brain death. The average Ambulance emergency response time can be over 15 minutes and longer in rural areas. Choking on food accounts for more than half of choking admissions to hospital, closely followed by other objects.
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Of the recorded cases, the most common objects to cause obstructions in children are coins (19%), lollies (10%), meat (5%), nuts (3%), carrots (3%), toy and toy parts (3%).
First Aid procedures do not guarantee the relief of choking. In Australia the regime recommended of one handed chest thrusts has no documented evidence of success.
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Tested successfully
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Safe for children & adults
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Right for Australia
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Easy to use
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Unique
The LifeVac® is a unique device developed to address one specific problem, choking, that is unrelieved by normal first aid methods. Unfortunately, a range of individuals are at risk from choking, including children, the elderly, and those with a disability affecting their ability to swallow. LifeVac® is the only device on the market that addresses this problem.
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Effective
LifeVac® is a unique, single patient lifesaving apparatus (Medical Device Class I) produced in the USA that has revolutionised the way choking is treated. The effectiveness of the LifeVac® in removing obstructions from blocked airways has been documented by various studies and proven to be more effective than even the best first aid measures in the world.
(LifeVac 97-100%, Abdominal Thrusts 71%, Australian Chest Thrusts < 50% in complete obstruction)
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Right for Australia
In Australia, choking deaths are a particular issue. Unlike the rest of the world, the first aid procedures we are encouraged to use here in Australia to manage severe choking episodes do not have any relevant clinical evidence or clinical trials, nor any documented successes. Many individuals (especially children) die each year after relying on first aid measures. This means we are especially in need of a device that can effectively relieve choking when current measures fail.
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Easy to use
The LifeVac® has been designed to be used by parents, carers, and professionals alike, and no prescription or special training is necessary. A simple "place, push, pull" process can be mastered by any user without additional training.
You can even use this device on yourself!
Time-critical
Choking is the second leading cause of accidental death in children under 14 years (11.1%) and the leading cause of accidental death in children under 1 year old (accounting for 40 child deaths annually).
Choking is also the second leading cause of premature death in aged care in Australia.
Over 11 million Australians are particularly susceptible to choking due to pregnancy, age, and/or profound disability, obesity, or being alone.
In 0-4 minutes of an obstruction blocking an airway, brain damage is possible.
In 4-6 minutes brain damage is likely.
In 6-10 minutes brain damage is probable.
After 10 minutes there is probably brain death.
The average ambulance emergency response time is 7 to 12 minutes, and longer in rural areas. Choking on food accounts for more than half of choking admissions to hospital, closely followed by other objects.
Of the recorded cases, the most common objects to cause obstructions in children are coins (19%), lollies (10%), meat (5%), nuts (3%), carrots (3%), toy and toy parts (3%)*.
First Aid procedures do not guarantee the relief of choking. In Australia the recommended first aid procedure (one handed chest thrusts) has no documented evidence of success.
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Easy to Use
Designed to be easily used by anyone without specific skills or training and can even be used on yourself.
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Low risk
The LifeVac® does not insert anything into the person's airway, or create any dangerous positive pressure.
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Acts in seconds
The LifeVac® quickly and easily removes obstructions from the airway of a choking victim.
If you have a serious neurological condition such as Parkinson's, MS, Alzheimer's, ALS or Stroke, you are at increased risk for choking. LifeVac® is a significant advance for preventing choking-related deaths and I recommend it to all my patients"
- Dr. William Holt, Neurologist