Introducing LifeVac: Supporting Safer Responses in Choking Emergencies

At Blue Skies Case Management & Care, we’re always looking at how we can improve safety for the people we support. That means reviewing our training regularly, listening to feedback from teams and families, and making sure what we teach reflects real‑life situations, not just textbook scenarios. 

Recently, this has led us to explore and incorporate an additional tool into our First Aid training: LifeVac. 

Why We Started Looking at LifeVac

During training sessions, a consistent theme has come up, choking incidents can be particularly challenging in certain situations. This can include when someone is using a wheelchair and cannot be repositioned easily, when a support worker is responding alone, or when supporting young children who are naturally more vulnerable. It’s also something we see when standard techniques are difficult to carry out or aren’t proving effective. These are real situations our teams and families face. While traditional first aid techniques remain essential, they don’t always fit every circumstance. 

That’s what led our Clinical Lead, Lisa Morgan-Shaw and Clinical Trainer, Claire Cornell, to explore additional options that could support safer practice. 

What Is LifeVac?

LifeVac is a non‑invasive airway clearance device designed to help in choking emergencies. It works by creating suction to remove an obstruction when other methods haven’t worked. 

What stood out to us straight away was how: 

• Simple it is to use 

• Quick and practical in an emergency 

• Suitable across different ages, including children 

• Helpful in situations where standard techniques are harder to apply 

We also visited the LifeVac team, who are based locally in South Molton, to better understand how the devices are made. Following that visit and our own review of their processes and testing, we felt confident in its safety and quality. 

How It Fits with First Aid

It’s really important to be clear: 

• LifeVac does not replace standard choking first aid. 

• Back blows and abdominal thrusts are still the first response and remain the foundation of what we teach. 

However, LifeVac offers an additional option, particularly in those more complex situations where: 

• Standard techniques aren’t working 

• Physical positioning makes those techniques difficult 

• A quick response is critical 

Having that extra option available can help reduce risk and give people more confidence when responding. 

Now Part of Our Training

Following our review, we have: 

• Introduced LifeVac into our mandatory Basic Life Support training 

• Included it within our bespoke and specialist training packages 

• Purchased units for use within our teams 

This reflects our wider approach, making sure our training is as practical, inclusive, and relevant as possible. 

We are also looking at how this could support clients and families directly, and whether providing access to devices would be beneficial in certain situations. 

Part of a Wider Approach to Better Training

At Blue Skies, we’re continually updating both what we teach and how we teach it. 

The focus is always on: 

• Preparing people for real‑life situations 

• Supporting individuals with complex or diverse needs 

• Building confidence, not just knowledge 

• Offering solutions that are practical and achievable 

To support this, we’ll also be creating a short demonstration video showing a child using LifeVac. This will be shared on our social media to help increase understanding and show just how simple and accessible it is to use in an emergency. 

External Training Available

We’re now also including LifeVac within our external First Aid training, alongside CPR and AED updates. 

This is available for: 

• Support worker teams 

• Schools and colleges 

• Therapy and rehabilitation teams 

• Care providers 

• Families and community groups 

• Solicitors 

Training can always be adapted to reflect the specific needs of the people you support. 

Buying Safely

If you’re considering purchasing a LifeVac device, we would always recommend buying directly from the official website: https://www.lifevac.uk/

This is important, as there are non‑regulated or imitation products available online, which may not meet the same safety standards. We’re pleased to share that there is currently a 15% discount available: 

Use code: BLUESKIES15
Many families find the travel kit particularly useful, as it includes different mask sizes and can be easily stored or carried. 

A Practical, Person‑Centred Approach

Ultimately, this isn’t about introducing a product; it’s about responding to real situations in the safest way possible. 

By incorporating LifeVac into our training, we’re aiming to give people: 

• More confidence in emergencies 

• More options when situations are complex 

• Training that reflects real people and real environments 

Because when it comes to choking incidents, having the right knowledge and the right tools can make all the difference. 

Get in Touch

If you’d like more information about LifeVac, support with ordering, or to arrange training, we’d be happy to help. 

Let’s work together to create safer, more confident environments for the people we support.