On February 10th, 2025, BusyBees Nurseries issued a letter to parents regarding their decision to decline the adoption and implementation of LifeVac anti-choking devices within their settings.
We are deeply disappointed by the decision to reject the implementation of LifeVac anti-choking devices within their settings.
LifeVac is a non-invasive airway clearance device approved by the UK MHRA for use by anyone, with no specialized training required. Additionally, LifeVac offers fully CPD-accredited online training for both child/healthcare professionals and the general public, covering choking prevention, how to identify different types of choking, what can cause a choking emergency, case studies, device overview, how and when to use LifeVac® in a choking emergency and more.
Each wall-mounted kit includes a test mask, allowing practitioners to use the LifeVac device in training scenarios. This enables them to simulate choking emergencies and practice the essential "place, push, pull" technique to effectively use the device in real-life situations.
LifeVac has also passed NHS clinical validation trials in Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, which is one of the largest mental health and disability Trusts in England and has already saved lives since its deployment in December 2024.
LifeVac is registered and regulated as a 'Class 1 Medical Device' with CE accreditation. LifeVac is regulated for use when first aid has failed or cannot be performed.
As LifeVac is not a mandatory part of first aid yet, The UKRC (UK Resuscitation Council) can not endorse their use as they follow ILCOR guidance.
In the last review (2019/20), ILCOR (International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation) who write the first aid guidelines for all the global resuscitation councils to follow states, “While we recognise they have saved lives, there is not enough evidence to encourage or discourage their use”. Since then, LifeVac has saved a further 3510 lives and obtained 13 additional peer reviewed medical publications covering lives saved, comparison studies, ease of use, safety and effectiveness.
Until LifeVac becomes a mandatory part of first aid, it remains a legal and safe option for any business, childcare setting or individual person to use when first aid fails or cannot performed.
Whilst we applaud BusyBees for their mandatory training and proactive approach to further specific training for those working with children who are still in the weaning phase, it doesn't take away the fact that the national statistic remains that first aid choking protocol when (abdominal thrusts and back blows in combination) is only 70% effective in a perfect situation. The regulated LifeVac medical device has been 98.9% effective in peer reviewed medical publications, used when first aid has failed or could not be performed, having helped save over 3,536 lives with 2212 of those being children.
BusyBees state "Staff are trained and qualified to deliver approved methods of treatment for choking incidents involving children and infants, such as back blows and abdominal thrusts, all in line with the current paediatric first aid training curriculum" but we ask, what happens when such methods of treatment fails? First aid, as above is only, as per the national statistic 70% effective leaving a massive 30% chance of serious injury, or in our case, the death of our beautiful little boy Oliver at the Jellybeans Day Nursery in Ashford, in September 2021.
Time is of the essence when somebody begins to choke, The UK currently has an 8 minute target time for an ambulance to reach an incident.
4 – 6 minutes of oxygen starvation means brain damage is possible.
6 – 10 minutes of oxygen starvation means brain damage is probable.
Over 10 minutes of oxygen starvation means the victim is likely to die.
The LifeVac device, which is approved by most childcare insurance providers nationally as long as basic first aid is attempted first can then be used closing the 30% gap in the statistic. As our emergency services become ever stretched, an ambulance might be some distance or time away in a choking emergency and what happens then in this situation when first aid fails to remove the blockage? Each wall mounted kit costs £84.95, which is a small cost in terms of a life.
If BusyBees were to equip all 390 settings nationally with LifeVac, without a discount we could offer it would cost £33,150 plus VAT. A small price compared to a 8 minute ambulance target when first aid has failed or cannot be performed.
If LifeVac is used, it is replaced FREE of charge everytime in return for an anonymous usage report.
Since our charity was formed in February 2024 we have raised over £80,000 and have now given out 1056 LifeVac devices to nurseries, preschools and childminders including other larger childcare chains across the United Kingdom. We have been to over 400 settings across the UK to deliver FREE face to face training on the device which goes above and beyond its regulatory approval by the MHRA. Our charity does not pay wages, or any expenses such as fuel, as parents to Oliver we fund this out of our own money.
Some of the amazing settings where we have donated a LifeVac device to in the local area.
A petition started by a parent has now gained over 500 signatures asking BusyBees to implement LifeVac devices.
We sincerely hope, that BusyBees will re-think their decision not to implement LifeVac anti-choking devices into their settings nationally giving children, or indeed staff members another shot at life when a choking emergency occurs and first aid has been attempted and failed and the emergency services are delayed or a distance away. As stated above LifeVac is backed my NHS clinical validations, multiple peer medical reviews and has saved over 3500 lives to date.
Lewis And Zoe Steeper
The Oliver Steeper Foundation
LifeVac holds several key accreditations in the United Kingdom:
MHRA Registration: LifeVac is registered and regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), ensuring compliance and safety with the UK medical device regulations.
CE Marking: The device carries the CE mark, indicating conformity with European Union health, safety, and environmental protection standards.
UKCA Marking: Post-Brexit, LifeVac has obtained the UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) mark, signifying compliance with UK-specific regulations.
ISO 13485 Accreditation: LifeVac Europe Ltd is ISO 13485 accredited, demonstrating adherence to quality management systems for medical devices.
These accreditations affirm LifeVac's commitment to safety and quality in the UK market.
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