Jody,

Did you mention awhile back that you were looking for the name of the device if you choke on a pill or food? Well, I saw the commercial for it and it is called "LifeVac" I believe. I did some minimal research on it with Google AI and found this LifeVac is registered with the FDA as a Class II medical device, but it is not FDA-approved, meaning its safety and effectiveness have not been conclusively established through rigorous testing that would be required for approval. The FDA explicitly states that it encourages the public to follow established choking rescue protocols such as abdominal thrusts before using anti-choking devices. However, I don't think those protocols would work if you were alone and this device could be very beneficial. I found a 2022 study published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine looked at the self-reported experiences of adults with swallowing problems. The study found that LifeVac removed the obstruction in 38 of 39 adults during a choking event.

Anyways, you could also ask your health provider with some of your own research to make your decision.

Best,
Rob