By-Line: Joseph Bober, FCSO
As part of its mission to support a safe community, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is providing LifeVac Airway Clearance devices to its deputies and businesses throughout the county at no cost to Flagler County taxpayers.
The LifeVac Airway Clearance device is a non-powered, non-invasive, single-use choking rescue device that may be used in choking emergencies. The device was developed to resuscitate a victim with an airway obstruction when standard treatment, such as the Heimlich maneuver, is unsuccessful. According to LifeVac’s website, their devices have been used to save more than 4,000 lives.
Sheriff Rick Staly holds a LifeVac Airway Clearance device, which will be provided to Flagler County businesses at no cost.
Using drug-seized assets, the FCSO has purchased 400 LifeVac EMS kits, which include the LifeVac Airway Clearance device, adult and pediatric masks, and instructions for use. The kits will be distributed to all Flagler County licensed businesses that serve food, including restaurants, bars, coffee shops, hotels, and golf clubs. In total, the FCSO will provide kits to over 265 businesses across Flagler County.
“The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is saving lives,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “I have saved two lives using the Heimlich maneuver in my career, once as Sheriff. You never know when a choking event may occur, so by providing restaurants across the county with these rescue devices, we hope to save lives in partnership with our business community. And we are taking profits from poison peddlers and providing these rescue devices at no cost to the taxpayers or the businesses.”
Eligible businesses will receive packages containing a LifeVac EMS kit, stickers they can place on their window showing that a kit is onsite in case of an emergency, and an information letter beginning June 20.
“I appreciate Sheriff Staly and the Sheriff’s Office for providing us with a LifeVac,” said Janine Thomas, owner of Southern Table Restaurant in Bunnell. “It’s something you hope you never have to use, but knowing it’s here gives us real peace of mind. Our staff feels better prepared, and it shows the kind of care and community partnership that matters.”
Sheriff Rick Staly presents LifeVac EMS kits to Flagler County business owners Jeanine Thomas (owner of Southern Table Restaurant) and Jamie Bourdeau (co-owner of The Landing Strip Tavern).
In addition, the FCSO will distribute kits to all deputies in the Community Policing Division to place them in their patrol vehicles. This is the latest lifesaving technology the FCSO is providing to its deputies. All FCSO patrol vehicles are equipped with automated external defibrillators, and patrol cars assigned to deputies that patrol the western, rural areas of the county are equipped with Mobilize Comprehensive Rescue Systems.
“Oftentimes, our patrol deputies are the first to arrive at an emergency, and this gives them another tool, just like our AEDs, to save a life,” Sheriff Staly added. “And the best part of this program is money seized from poison peddlers paid for them!”
The kits were purchased for $18,985 and funded through the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act.
If the LifeVac Airway Clearance device is used in a choking emergency and saves a victim’s life, LifeVac guarantees replacement free of charge. Once the device is used, it should not be used again for sanitary reasons. While the device itself never expires, LifeVac recommends replacing the masks every two to three years. For more information on the device, visit www.lifevac.net.
