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Perth Now
6 days ago
- Health
- Perth Now
Wanneroo council endorses rollout of anti-choking devices
The City of Wanneroo council has unanimously backed a plan to install anti-choking devices at 10 city-managed facilities despite staff recommending against it. The council meeting supported an alternative motion from Cr Bronwyn Smith at Tuesday night's meeting to proceed with the rollout after hearing from local father Brian Bwoga, whose son Zaza died after choking last year near Iluka Foreshore. The anti-choking device, known as LifeVac, is a portable tool designed to clear the airway during a choking emergency. City of Wanneroo officers recommended against installing LifeVac devices, citing concerns from St John and Red Cross about possible delays to first aid. They also concluded it would be more practical for people to carry their own LifeVac devices in personal first-aid kits rather than installing them in public facilities, increasing familiarity with the device. The devices are listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods and have been installed at 38 community facilities in the City of Joondalup, approved for five staffed recreation centres in the City of Stirling, and placed at 10 locations in the City of Vincent. In a statement to the council, Simon Gould, owner of LifeVac Australia and a former advanced care paramedic of 15 years, said he disagreed with the staff report's recommendation and urged the council to approve the device's rollout. 'The initial report and recommendation to council not to implement the LifeVac, contrary to the decisions of other councils, is frankly based on unevidenced nonsense, a naive understanding of regulatory structures, legislation, law, scientific evidence, and a failure to seek out qualified and reputable sources,' Mr Gould claimed. 'LifeVac has been determined by the TGA to be low risk, non-invasive, safe and can be used without prescription, special training, and without restriction in Australia and worldwide.' The LifeVac anti-choking device kit. Credit: supplied Mr Gould said the device had saved more than 4300 lives worldwide, including more than 75 in Australia. Of those, more than 2400 were children, which he said were all after first aid failed. Mr Bwoga pleaded with the council to act, saying he had attended nearly 20 council meetings across WA advocating for the devices. 'Wanneroo, let's get it home,' he told councillors. 'This will be the best two to 3000 you're going to invest in this city.' Brian Bwoga has been advocating for anti-choking devices after the death of his 22-month-old son ZaZa Bwoga. Credit: Manuel Goria In 2023–24, choking and suffocation led to 1557 hospitalisations in Australia, with 1427 deaths reported in 2022–23, representing 9.3 per cent of all injury deaths. Most of the cases involved males aged between 0–4 years and those 65 years and older. Mayor Linda Aitken backed the rollout, highlighting the safety of vulnerable groups such as children, older adults and those with disabilities. '(LifeVac) is a proven, practical and cost-effective backup in any setting where a choking emergency might occur,' Ms Aitken said. 'This is not about replacing first aid. It's about giving our residents and staff another tool in the moments when every second counts. 'Even with public education, product safety regulations and labelling laws, choking emergencies still occur, often suddenly and silently.' Placing 10 anti-choking devices at city-managed facilities is expected to cost $6500.
Perth Now
02-07-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Alarm sounded over anti-choking devices installed in Perth
The son of the doctor credited with the development of the Heimlich manoeuvre says there are risks from using anti-choking devices to save people's lives. Brian Bwoga, of Beldon, has been asking councils across Perth to install LifeVac anti-choking devices after his 22-month-old son Zaza died after choking on a grape in 2024. The Town of Bassendean is the latest council to consider his request. The cities of Joondalup and Vincent agreed earlier this year to install the devices. LifeVac is a self-powered portable suction device developed for clearing the upper airway when standard first aid protocols fail to relieve a choking incident. But Philip Heimlich says his father Dr Henry Heimlich, who died in 2016, said the drawbacks of such devices were 'obvious', including that they had to be nearby and it would be 'virtually impossible' for victims to use it on themselves. While he admired the councils' dedication to saving lives, Mr Heimlich said in an email to the Joondalup and Bassendean mayors that studies had shown the dangers of anti-choking devices. The contents of the Lifevac kit. Credit: Supplied The Royal Life Saving Society WA Inc has said there was limited evidence of efficacy of the anti-choking devices and was concerned they could cause additional harm if not used appropriately or delayed the use of established procedures. The US Food and Drug Administration choking rescue protocols do not include anti-choking devices as they have not been FDA-approved or cleared. 'Consumers should be aware that using anti-choking devices first could delay action, as consumers usually have to take them out of packaging, assemble them, and follow device instructions, which may delay the use of established rescue protocols,' its website says. Mr Heimlich said people could suffer brain damage or death in four minutes if the choking object was not dislodged. 'Since my father invented the Heimlich manoeuvre in 1974, untold numbers of choking victims have been saved by his procedure around the world,' he said. 'Each week, there are dozens of news reports on lives saved by his method, and it's extremely rare that the Heimlich manoeuvre is not effective.' A Heimlich manoeuvre involves a person standing behind a person and squeezing their diaphragm. The American Red Cross and UK National Health Service recommend abdominal thrusts only if coughing and slaps to the back do not remove the obstruction. They are not recommended on children younger than one year old. Mr Bwoga told the Town of Bassendean's June 24 meeting about 10 WA councils had agreed to install the devices and they cost less than $200. 'I'm not here to make somebody vote for something they don't wish to vote for but I'm just here as a dad who's trying to make sense out of this tragedy,' he said. 'I don't want to hear another parent go through the same thing that I went through.' The council voted in support of mayor Kath Hamilton's proposal that the town investigate the costs, benefits and risks of installing LifeVac devices at town facilities where automated external defibrillators are installed and report back by August. Town CEO Cameron Woods said it was always prudent to do some research but 'cost is not an issue when we're talking about saving young lives'.
Perth Now
19-06-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Anti-choking devices rolled out after grieving father's plea
The City of Vincent will install 10 life-saving anti-choking machines in various locations after a Perth father advocated for LifeVac machines to be provided after the death of his son at Burns Beach in Iluka last year. Council members voted unanimously in favour of installing the devices at city-managed facilities after it was proposed by councillors Nicole Woolf and Suzanne Worner at their May meeting. Brian Bwoga, father of 22-month-old Zaza, faced a parent's worst nightmare when his son had four grapes lodged in his throat and died. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Mr Bwoga came to the meeting on Tuesday night and shared his gratitude to the council, regardless of how they chose to vote. 'Without you guys hearing my backstory of how my son passed away I wouldn't be here tonight.' he said. Mr Bwoga shared at the May meeting his heart-wrenching story of how his son died in his arms despite attempting CPR and mouth-to-mouth. LifeVac devices can clear obstructions from the windpipe. Credit: LifeVac 'I already did my first-aid course; my oldest son was there with me and his best friends,' he said at the meeting. 'While my son was dying in my arms all I remember I carried him running towards a defibrillator because I thought it was the right tool. 'I delivered my son in my arms and he gave me the same look as when he was passing away. 'We know it takes less than four minutes for brain damage, and less than six minutes to pronounce someone as dead. 'It took 20 minutes for the ambulance to show up.' Mr Bwoga said he was 'so pissed off' when he found the LifeVac device and didn't know the device, which had been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia since 2011, even existed. He said he wanted to turn his grief into a purpose. Brian Bwoga and 22-month-old son Zaza, who died after choking on a grape. Credit: Manuel Goria 'I request for you guys to consider installing this next to your city-run facilities so a parent will never go through the same thing,' Mr Bwoga said. The LifeVac unit consists of a plastic plunger with a one-way valve and a facemask that attaches to the plunger. Staff will be given training on how to use the new devices in locations such as Beatty Park Leisure Centre, Loftus Community Centre, Loftus Recreation Centre and Vincent Library. The City of Joondalup was the first Perth council to roll out the devices in April, having 38 LifeVac devices across the city. Mr Bwoga has also pitched the devices to the City of Wanneroo. The Town of Bassendean will also consider the installation of LifeVac machines, with mayor Kath Hamilton's motion to install the devices to be discussed at the town's meeting on June 24.
