On 21 June 2022, Inverness Sheriff Court fined HC-One after Margaret Campbell (96) choked to death while eating at Cradlehall Care Home. Media reports note a £1.8m fine plus a £135k victim surcharge. Investigators found that she was on a soft, moist, bite-sized diet and required close supervision—controls that were not maintained at the time. Officials called the death preventable.

— Sky News

The Wider Picture: Choking Risk in Older Adults

Choking risk rises with age, frailty, and dysphagia (swallowing difficulty). UK mortality data track choking under ICD-10 W79/W80, with older age groups consistently represented in the figures for England and Wales.

In care settings, this means supervision and mealtime procedures are a safety-critical system, not a courtesy.

— The UK Office for National Statistics

A Call to Action—for Society, and Especially for Care Teams

For a conscious adult, established first-aid guidance remains clear and equipment-free:

Encourage effective coughing → up to 5 back blows → up to 5 abdominal (or chest) thrusts → call emergency services and continue cycles; CPR if unresponsive.

These steps are quick to teach and practice, and they must be regularly drilled and auditable across care homes and assisted-living communities.

When Readiness Works: A 94-Year-Old Saved Multiple Times

Alongside sobering news, there is hope in preparedness. One ArixMed customer reported that her 94-year-old mother—prone to recurrent choking—was rescued multiple times by a caregiver using the ARIXMED Non-Invasive Choking Rescue Device.

Her first account (June 7, 2024) described cyanosis (“turning blue”); after two attempts, the obstruction cleared and breathing returned. Later follow-ups described successful relief from food, pills, and aspirated liquid during subsequent episodes.

This is a real-world testimonial, not a clinical trial—but it shows what a trained, equipped response can achieve in practice.

Where an ACD Fits (and Where It Doesn’t)

Our stance aligns with current guidance: airway clearance devices (ACDs) must not replace or delay established first-aid techniques.

An ACD should be considered only as an adjunct when manual steps have failed or are not feasible (e.g., due to patient position or single-rescuer constraints). It should be used within a written SOP and after staff training.

Having a reliable, non-invasive anti-choking device accessible can make a critical difference when traditional first aid isn’t enough.

ARIXMED’s Contribution—Responsible Innovation, Real-World Support

•  Our device: The ARIXMED Non-Invasive Airway Clearance Device (ACD) is a suction-based device designed for care homes, assisted-living facilities, and home-care environments.
•  Our regulatory status: CE-compliant, FDA-registered (U.S.), and MDEL-listed (Canada) for lawful distribution. Trusted by CPR training centers, police departments, schools, EMS responders, nursing homes, and safety organizations, the ArixMed choking first aid device has gained strong traction across the U.S. and several European countries.

•  Professional recognition: Endorsed by a former professor at the Johns Hopkins Swallowing Center, who called ARIXMED “a great device that needs to be in every household, restaurant, and available everywhere.”Drawing on his career experience, he also kindly offered a valuable tip for the elderly or anyone with swallowing difficulties: slightly tuck the chin in when swallowing—a simple adjustment that can greatly reduce choking risk. We deeply appreciate his suggestion and have included this tip in our latest instruction manuals.

•  Implementation support: We provide staff training, SOP templates, and quick-reference materials.

At ARIXMED, our commitment is simple: put established first aid first, strengthen systems, and ensure adjunct tools are available responsibly.

If you manage or lead a care home and are considering including the ArixMed Choking First Aid Device in your facility, please contact us for a special support discount.

Because Caring for the Elderly Is Caring for Our Future Selves.