Anti-Choking Devices

We keep a good supply of Anti-choking Devices and Kits in stock at Simply Safety Group. These are intended to make sure that you have a reliable backup response for choking incidents no matter where you are or who is around. Our range includes LifeVac, who offer anti-choking kits for the home, for travel, for wall-mounted applications, and even for Emergency Medical Service operatives.

Anti-choking devices give peace of mind over situations where standard measures fail, as well as cases when you need to treat yourself or another and no qualified persons are present. Additionally, they are a good option for when emergency response isn’t fast enough; which is scarily possible given that choking can become fatal within ten minutes, and presents a possibility of permanent injury after six.

How Reliable are Anti-choking Devices?

Reliable enough that we are happy to recommend and sell them as a potentially lifesaving product. But there is, as is the case in any medical matter, good reason to be cautious. LifeVac is probably the most prominent example of an anti-choking device; they are recognised by the MHRA, and have the CE Mark and UKCA Approval, which are both essential safety certifications for selling a product in Britain. They have even been adopted by the professional medical world.

Despite their proven effectiveness and essential approvals, anti-choking devices are firmly viewed as a last resort. This is, of course, a result of the uncertainty mentioned in the previous paragraph. Standard manoeuvres designed to treat choking incidents will not always get the job done, but when done correctly they have no chance of exacerbating the situation, which is why they come first, always. The LifeVac and similar devices are thus left till last. Standard procedure may also not be actionable due to the circumstances, so deferring to an anti-choking device as your primary response would not be unreasonable.

The Swift Lethality of Choking

Choking causes oxygen starvation that can lead to death in just ten minutes, with permanent damage being very likely after six. This is why the UK ambulance target response time of eight minutes is often not ideal for choking incidents. Calling for an ambulance, however, should be the first action taken in these scenarios, but it is still quite obvious why other measures have become part of the immediate response.

With brain damage becoming a distinct possibility after just four minutes of choking, it is imperative that in any given scenario, there is some of treatment ready to go without delay. This could come in the form of a qualified individual, who is trained to perform measures such as the Heimlich manoeuvre, but an anti-choking device can also fulfil this role. If you are travelling, for example, even fast response times might not matter, as you could be far from medical services or just too difficult to reach.