United States: Being a key source of the rescue of choking victims, the author in question reports on the FDA notion whereby people are supposed to make use of the tried and tested Heimlich maneuver in times of need rather than relying on the new modernizing “anti-choking” gadgets.
The representative from the agency emphasized, “There are uncertainties about the safety and efficacy of over-the-counter anti-choking devices, as they are not FDA approved or cleared.”
In the same way, the FDA stated that it is not aware of any serious injuries reported with these devices and no death cases have been associated with the use of anti-choking devices.
Anti-choking devices delay action: Experts
According to the US News, the agency said, “Consumers should be aware that using anti-choking devices first could delay action, as consumers usually have to take them out of packaging, assemble them and follow device instructions, which may delay the use of established rescue protocols,” as the US News reported.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, even a minute of oxygen deprivation to the brain that exceeds four minutes would destroy the brain and the person, and they would die.
How does the Heimlich maneuver eliminate choking?
Heimlich maneuver by pressing the abdomen area of the choked victim to hyperventilate out of the lungs and obviously, the throat, which results in removing elements coming through the airway.
However, the function of anti-choking devices is to pull the object and leave the airways of the victim obstructed. These devices use vacuum pressure.
The leading model, LifeVac, which costs USD 70, has a mask that fits all over the nose and aim and attaches to a bellows. Pressing the bellows metal plate toward and then pulling it back quickly will clear airway of accumulated air.
On the website of LifeVac, which contains a “Hall of Saves” containing thousands of cases of the device having been a lifesaver for a child or an adult facing the same choking condition, as well as an article resource offered by a medical journal, articles about the gadget.
Additionally, the company also informs the consumers about the LifeVac is “FDA registered as a Class II medical device.”
The website states, “It is exempt from pre-market clearance. The FDA does not require a pre-market review of the LifeVac device,” and, “Currently, in the United States, all portable suction devices are required to be registered with the FDA, not approved.”
The FDA added, “If you choose to use an anti-choking device, only use it after established choking rescue protocols have failed,” and, “The safety and effectiveness of over-the-counter anti-choking devices have not been established.