Foreign body airway obstructions (FBAO, choking) result in significant mortality and
morbidity globally . If left untreated, individuals suffering from airway obstructions
will progress to unresponsiveness and die. For the first time in decades, a novel choking
intervention is being promoted. Airway clearance devices (such as LifeVac© or Dechoker©)
are non-powered suction-based devices being marketed by manufacturers as a safer, easier
alternative to traditional choking interventions. However, a systematic review, conducted
by Dunne et al, demonstrated insufficient evidence to recommend their use in choking
guidelines. Subsequently, a mannequin simulation trial by Patterson found LifeVac© to be
superior to abdominal thrusts at FBAO relief within 4 minutes (odds ratio [OR] 47.32
[95%CI 5.74 - 389.40]), whereas Dechoker© was not (OR 1.22 [95% CI 0.60 - 2.47]). This
study was only conducted in healthcare professionals, and the efficacy in laypersons is
still unknown.
Study Objectives 1. To evaluate the relative efficacy of airway clearance devices
compared to traditional interventions among laypersons.
Research Questions and Hypotheses
- Among laypersons, which FBAO intervention (abdominal thrusts, LifeVac©, or
Dechoker©) results in the greatest proportion of FBAO relief within one-minutes?
Hypothesis: LifeVac© will relieve more FBAOs within one-minute compared to abdominal
thrusts and Dechoker© based on a prior mannequin study among healthcare professionals.
Methods Investigators will conduct an open-label, crossover, mannequin, randomized
controlled trial to compare two ACDs (LifeVac© and Dechoker©) with traditional abdominal
thrusts as FBAO interventions.
Randomization: Using OnCore randomization service to 1 of 6 intervention orders.
Randomization will be performed by a researcher not involved with participant
recruitment, and allocation will be concealed until enrollment using OnCore software as
well.
Pre-simulation: Prior to any intervention, each participant will receive an orientation
to the simulator (Choking Charlie, Laerdal Medical AS, Stavanger, Norway), environment,
and the outcomes being assessed. A member of the research team will be available to
answer any questions that they have prior to starting.
Intervention: Participants will be shown the manufacturer's (LifeVac© and Dechoker©)
recommended short educational video for each intervention. A publicly available online
instructional video, prepared by St John Ambulance, will be used for abdominal thrusts.
Immediately after watching the first training video in their allocated sequence,
participants will be asked to respond to a FBAO scenario, using the assigned technique.
Participants will have up to four minutes to complete the intervention. All intervention
attempts will be video recorded from a standardized position. Each participant will
repeat the process (instructional video, followed by scenario) two more times so that
they attempt each intervention. Participants will have a short break (of approximately
two minutes) between each intervention.
Follow Up: All participants will be invited back between 90 - 120 days to complete the
same scenario with the 3 interventions again to assess skills retention.