Emergency choking device to be used in GP surgeries

The Dechoker emergency choking device is now available for access at GP surgeries across the UK.

Following FDA approval in the United States, the emergency choking device has received UK endorsement by consultant anaesthetist and advanced life support tutor, Dr A Biswas, from the Nottingham University Trust Hospitals.  

Designed specifically to provide a more effective alternative technique to deal with choking situations in patients of all ages.

The device has also been designed to be administered by those with only the very basic of first aid training.

With a considerable flow of people using medical centres and GP surgeries on a daily basis, the Dechoker is designed to be a fast means to deal with emergency choking incidents.

UK community defibrillator charity – The Community Heartbeat Trust – has announced plans to place Dechoker devices alongside defibrillators in converted telephone kiosks across the UK.     

The principles behind the Dechoker are simple, with the device's mouthpiece sealing around the patient's mouth, depressing the tongue and effectively sucking air from behind the obstruction.

Once the mask is sealed around their face, the first aider gently pumps the air out through the attached respirator for up to three seconds.

A video explaining and demonstrating the Dechoker was made at a Nottingham hospital and can be seen here.

Dechoker Europe spokesman, Alan Walton, said: “Having a Dechoker device accessible and available in GP surgeries across the UK could be the difference between a patient surviving a choking incident.

“We're keen to work with medical centres and GP surgeries around the UK to fit these and raise public awareness of the Dechoker.”