Choking emergencies can happen in seconds, leaving little to no time to respond. The parents of this toddler acted swiftly and appropriately, doing everything that is recommended by the American Red Cross, first responders, and medical personnel. When this protocol wasn't working for them, they reached for the Dechoker and cleared the 15-month-old's airway. Here is what his mother shared:
"Saved my 15-month-old. I gave him an animal cracker, heard him swallow hard, and then he was trying to cough and cry and couldn't. My husband grabbed him and tried slapping his back with him facing downward, didn't work. I ran to the closet and grabbed the Dechoker. We laid him on the bed and could see the animal cracker in the main back of his throat, one pull of the Dechoker and it came up so we could pull it out. He's already back to playing!"
Back slaps are recommended by the American Red Cross, first responder groups, doctors and medical organizations worldwide as a companion treatment to the Heimlich maneuver. The American Red Cross recommends a "five-and-five" approach to delivering first aid to a choking victim, alternating between five abdominal thrusts and five back blows until the object is clear of the airway.
These traditional first-aid treatments have proven relatively effective for many years, but unfortunately deaths still occur. Additionally, the treatments come with a risk of injury, and their invasive and somewhat jarring nature can make bystanders reluctant to attempt them. Further, they can become less effective over time. For these reasons, we recommend our innovative anti-choking device, The Dechoker in conjunction with these methods.
The Dechoker comes with no risk of injury and is extremely easy to use, so much so that most adults could even use it on themselves. Apply the face mask over the nose and mouth of the choking victim, and pull back on the plunger. This creates suction, often clearing the airway within seconds.
We recommend that the Dechoker not replace traditional treatments such as back slaps but is available as an alternative should those treatments fail. In a choking emergency, we believe caregivers, first responders, and families should have every possible tool at their fingertips.