Why Partner with LifeVac?
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), choking is ranked as the fourth leading cause of unintentional injury death, with victims typically representing vulnerable age groups like young children and the elderly. Additionally, a study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that people with intellectual disabilities are 26 times more likely to die from choking than the broader population. Even with well-known maneuvers and proven techniques like the Heimlich, choking incidents can still quickly turn disastrous.
Philadelphia Insurance Companies' Risk Management Services department (PHLYRMS) has partnered with LifeVac to give clients an exclusive discount on another tool to help save lives during a choking event when all other methods have been unsuccessful. As of March 2026, LifeVac is the only FDA authorized suction anti-choking device for second line treatment.
And PHLY policyholders are already seeing success! Read about one incident where LifeVac was able to save the life of a young child at one of our non-profit insureds below.
PHLY Policyholders Are Already Seeing a Difference
"When a distressed father sought help for his choking eight-month-old, the security staff employed the LifeVac machine. Here, the device effectively cleared the infant's airway, dislodging obstructing mucus. This critical intervention not only revived the baby, enabling her to now breathe independently but also showcased the importance of utilizing technologies like the LifeVac in moments of crisis in conjunction with preparation and action."
- Roudy Vincent, Assistant Vice President of Corporate Security, Women In Need, Inc.
What is LifeVac?
The LifeVac is a non-powered, non-invasive, single-use only airway clearance device developed for resuscitating a victim with an airway obstruction when current choking protocols have been followed without success. LifeVac has a one-way valve that does not allow any air to enter a choking victim on the downward motion. The LifeVac is provided with an adult mask as well as a pediatric mask.
While any client can take advantage of this partnership, policyholders serving children such as day cares, schools, and churches, as well as those who serve vulnerable adults should review the video below to see how introducing this tool in their first aid kits can make choking deaths less of a possibility at their organization.
The following also provide additional details about this life-saving tool:
Nationwide, school districts and emergency response teams have already been adding LifeVac to their protocols. In 2025, Texas passed a law requiring every public school in the state to have non-invasive airway clearance devices on campus, and other states are considering similar legislation. Meanwhile, counties in Maryland, Iowa, and Ohio are voluntarily putting the device into the hands of teachers and first responders.
Early adopters are already seeing success. A daycare in Tennessee recently used the device to save a three-year-old choking on a piece of candy, and a police department in Acworth, Georgia has now successfully saved two lives with the device.
If you're interested in protecting against choking risks with LifeVac, see details about our discount below.
Claim an Exclusive Discount on LifeVac Products from PHLY
Our partnership with LifeVac offers PHLY insureds an exclusive discount on their purchase of any LifeVac products. You can find your discount code in MyPHLY here. If you do not have a MyPHLY account, you can create one in minutes for free. For further questions, contact PHLY RMS with your policy number or account number.
If you are not a current PHLY insured but are interested in learning more, get started here.
Enjoying a meal or having a snack should never have to end in tragedy, and for organizations serving the most vulnerable among us, the risks of choking loom large. LifeVac, in addition to strong risk management procedures and protocols, can provide a valuable lifeline when the unexpected happens. For additional ways to protect against choking risks, see our list of resources below.
Additional Choking Prevention and Rescue Resources
Choking - National Safety Council (nsc.org)
Choking - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov)
Heimlich Maneuver Choking Treatment (clevelandclinic.org)
How to save someone choking - Dos and Don'ts in a Choking Emergency (lifevac.net)