What Lifevac does

LifeVac is a privately held U.S. medical device company (Life Vac LLC) founded in 2012 by Arthur Lih and headquartered in Nesconset, New York. It manufactures and distributes a non-powered, portable suction apparatus designed to clear airway obstructions in choking emergencies when standard protocols (Heimlich maneuver, back blows) have failed or cannot be performed. The core technology is a plunger-based device with a one-way valve that generates negative pressure to dislodge obstructions without pushing them further into the airway; the device is FDA-cleared (De Novo Class II under 21 CFR 874.5400, March 2026) and approved for adult and pediatric use on victims at least one year of age.

The product line centers on a single suction device sold through multiple configurations — Home Kit, Travel Kit, School Kit, and assorted bundles — together with replacement masks, storage cases, wall mounts, fire blankets, training materials, and a founder-authored book. LifeVac sells direct-to-consumer through lifevac.net (HSA/FSA-eligible), runs a B2B enterprise motion through LifeVac Pro serving schools, first responders, elder care, medical, hospitality, commercial, and transportation buyers, and distributes internationally across 100+ countries via regional offices and channel partners including Cintas. Pricing ranges from $69.99 per home/travel kit to $279.96 per school kit, with bundle and volume pricing available; masks generate modest recurring revenue through 2–3 year replacement cycles.

LifeVac has documented over 6,000 lives saved globally, is used by 10,000+ organizations, and has been incorporated into American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council airway obstruction protocols (the first such update in 47 years). The company remains founder-controlled and bootstrapped, with no disclosed institutional funding rounds. It is also MHRA-registered in the UK and ARTG-listed in Australia.

Name

Lifevac

Legal name

Life Vac LLC

Website

https://lifevac.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

LifeVac is a private U.S. medical device company that manufactures an FDA-authorized, non-powered suction anti-choking device, sold direct-to-consumer, through B2B channels (LifeVac Pro), and via partners like Cintas across 100+ countries, serving families, schools, first responders, and elder care facilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Anti-Choking Medical Devices

NAICS

Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing (339112)

SIC

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Airway Management Devices (ET Tubes, LMAs, Tracheostomy, Suction) (HLAHAGAF)

Keywords

• Anti-choking devices
• Suction rescue equipment
• Airway clearance devices
• Choking emergency devices
• Medical safety equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Massapequa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Device Sales: LifeVac generates revenue through one-time sales of its choking rescue devices and kits. Products include Home Kits, Travel Kits, School Kits, and various bundles. The device itself never expires, but masks require replacement every 2-3 years.
2. Replacement Masks and Accessories: Recurring revenue from replacement masks (adult, pediatric, practice), storage cases, wall mounts, and related accessories. Mask Replacement Packs sold at $15.
3. Fire Blanket Add-on: Fire blankets sold as add-on products ($29) with promotional free offers for kit/bundle purchases using code FB100.
4. Book and Merchandise: Sale of founder Arthur Lih's book 'Sorry, Can't is a Lie' ($17.99) and merchandise including Jackie The Charity Bear plush toy ($10).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

LifeVac manufactures and sells a non-powered, single-use, portable suction apparatus designed to clear airway obstructions in choking emergencies. The device uses a plunger with a one-way valve to create negative pressure and dislodge obstructions without invasive procedures, intended for adult and pediatric victims at least 1 year old. It is offered as Home Kits, Travel Kits, and School Kits, plus replacement masks, storage cases, and accessories, sold direct-to-consumer and to institutional buyers.

Product overview

LifeVac offers a portfolio of choking rescue devices centered on its FDA-authorized suction anti-choking device. The core product line consists of the LifeVac suction device with various mask sizes (adult, pediatric, practice), sold through multiple kit configurations including Home Kit, Travel Kit, and School Kit. These are bundled in various combinations (Home & Travel Bundle, Essential Preparedness Bundle, Home Kit Bundle, Travel Kit Bundle) to serve different use cases from individual home protection to school safety programs. Accessory products include storage cases (Home Storage Case, Carry Case/Wall Mount, Clear Wall Mounted Case, Clear Storage Tube), replacement masks, fire blankets, instructional posters, and a branded charity bear. The company also publishes a book by founder Arthur Lih. The portfolio architecture follows a model where the LifeVac device itself is the constant core, with masks, cases, and bags serving as configurable add-ons across different kit tiers and bundles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LifeVac Home Kit The main LifeVac choking rescue device kit designed for home use, containing the suction device, adult mask, pediatric mask, and practice mask. Sold for $69.99 as a one-time purchase.
• LifeVac Travel Kit Portable LifeVac choking rescue device kit contained in a yellow zip-up bag for cars, luggage, or diaper bags. Includes one LifeVac device, adult mask, pediatric mask, and yellow zip-up bag. Available in blue and pink variants.
• LifeVac School Kit Kit specifically designed for school environments containing 4 LifeVac devices, 4 adult masks, 4 pediatric masks, 1 practice mask, and 3 yellow zip-up bags. Priced at $279.96 and includes 1 free unit for training.
• LifeVac Home Kit Bundle Bundle of two LifeVac Home Kits for households needing multiple units across different rooms or floors.
• LifeVac Home & Travel Kit Bundle Combined Home Kit and Travel Kit bundle providing coverage at home and on the go. Includes 2 LifeVac devices, 2 adult masks, 2 pediatric masks, 1 practice mask, and 1 yellow zip-up bag. Priced at $134.98.
• Essential Preparedness Bundle Comprehensive preparedness bundle including 2 LifeVac devices, 2 adult masks, 2 pediatric masks, 1 practice mask, 1 yellow zip-up bag, and 1 Home Storage Case. Priced at $149.97.
• LifeVac 1 Home Kit 2 Travel Kit Bundle Bundle containing 3 LifeVac devices, 3 adult masks, 3 pediatric masks, and 2 yellow zip-up bags for maximum coverage at home and on the go. Priced at $199.97.
• The Perfect Baby Gift (Blue / Pink) Baby shower gift bundle combining a Home Kit and a Blue or Pink Travel Kit, designed for new parents seeking infant choking preparedness.
• LifeVac Blue Travel Travel Kit contained in a blue zip-up bag for portable choking rescue protection.
• LifeVac Pink Travel Travel Kit contained in a pink zip-up bag for portable choking rescue protection.
• Mask Replacement Pack Replacement mask pack containing 1 adult mask, 1 pediatric mask, and 1 practice mask. Recommended replacement every 2-3 years. Priced at $15.
• LifeVac Adult Mask Replacement adult-sized mask for LifeVac devices, sold individually for $5.99.
• LifeVac Pediatric Mask Replacement pediatric-sized mask for use on children aged 1 year and above.
• LifeVac Home Storage Case Transparent, compact storage case with handle for quick grab-and-go access to a LifeVac Home Kit. Priced at $19.99.
• Carry Case / Wall Mount Yellow wall-mounted carry case for storing and displaying LifeVac devices. Priced at $45.
• Clear Wall Mounted Case Clear wall-mounted case for visible storage and quick access to LifeVac devices. Priced at $55.
• Clear Storage Tube for LifeVac Clear cylindrical storage tube for LifeVac devices. Priced at $14.99.
• Fire Blanket Fire-retardant blanket for suppressing kitchen fires, car fires, and grill fires. Sold at $29 with a free offer for kit/bundle purchases using code FB100.
• Poster: How To Use LifeVac Educational poster showing how to use LifeVac for training and reference purposes. Priced at $9.99.
• Jackie The Charity Bear Plush teddy bear with LifeVac branding, with proceeds supporting charitable causes. Priced at $10.
• Sorry, Can't is a Lie (Book) Book by Arthur Lih, founder and inventor of LifeVac, sharing life lessons and the story of creating the choking rescue device. Priced at $17.99.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 6,000 lives saved globally since first documented save in 2016
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Maverick's LegacycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 November 2025Maverick's Legacy, a nonprofit founded in memory of Maverick Scott Chambers who died from choking, has donated over 2,100 LifeVac devices across New Jersey. The organization completed a major donation to Bergen County law enforcement, equipping over 70% of patrol vehicles and saving at least 8 lives.
• The Cassata FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 October 2025Rosario S. Cassata of The Cassata Foundation partnered with LifeVac founder Arthur Lih to donate LifeVac anti-choking devices to the Marco Island Police Department and other Collier County, Florida law enforcement agencies for placement in patrol and marine units.
• Chattanooga Rotary Club / Greg 02coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 January 2025The Chattanooga Rotary Club donated approximately $20,000 worth of LifeVac devices to every public school in Hamilton County, Tennessee. The project was initiated after Rotarian Paula Henderson learned about LifeVac, and partnered with nonprofit Greg 02 (founded after Greg Creswell died from choking at a restaurant).
• American Red Cross Scientific Advisory CouncilflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 October 2024The American Red Cross updated their airway obstruction protocols for the first time in 47 years to include choking rescue devices as recommended equipment after standard protocols fail. The Scientific Advisory Council voted unanimously to approve these recommendations, with LifeVac extensively referenced and studied in their findings. This endorsement is significant for institutional adoption.
• CintascoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 25 September 2024Cintas, a leading provider of workplace safety products and services, began carrying LifeVac as part of their employee safety product lineup. This partnership enables Cintas to offer LifeVac to their extensive customer base as a lifesaving addition to workplace safety programs. A Cintas employee, Zac Hull, personally used LifeVac to save his son from a choking incident.
• Greg 02coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 September 2024Nonprofit organization founded after Greg Creswell lost his life when his windpipe became blocked with food at a local restaurant. Partnered with Chattanooga Rotary Club to support LifeVac distribution throughout Hamilton County schools. Greg's brother Rob Creswell advocated for the devices.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• HeartSine Technologies (Stryker): Automated external defibrillator (AED) manufacturer now part of Stryker. Comparable as a layperson/responder-friendly emergency device sold into schools, first responders, and workplaces, addressing similar institutional buyers.
• Philips HeartStart: Consumer and institutional AED and emergency response products. Comparable as a recognized consumer/enterprise emergency preparedness brand sold into the same schools, workplaces, and first responder channels.
• Intersurgical: European manufacturer of airway management and anesthesia products including masks, circuits, and resuscitation devices. Comparable in airway interface products; differs in serving primarily clinical hospital channels.
• Ambu: Global medical device incumbent with airway management products (laryngeal masks, resuscitators, bronchoscopy). Comparable as an airway device manufacturer serving hospitals and EMS, though LifeVac targets layperson and B2B institutional markets.
• Vyaire Medical: Respiratory and ventilation equipment manufacturer serving hospitals and EMS. Comparable in respiratory/suction device expertise but operates in a clinical/hospital channel rather than the consumer/B2B layperson market LifeVac targets.
• Laerdal Medical: Established leader in CPR, first aid, and resuscitation training products. Comparable in targeting emergency preparedness buyers (schools, first responders, healthcare training), though Laerdal's portfolio is broader and clinically focused.
• Teleflex: Diversified medical device company with the LMA airway management portfolio. Comparable in airway device category leadership and regulatory expertise, though Teleflex operates at a much broader scale across hospital channels.
• Medtronic (Respiratory & Patient Monitoring): Diversified medical device giant with airway, ventilation, and suction product lines serving hospitals and EMS. Comparable as a regulated airway/suction category incumbent with vastly greater scale and clinical distribution.

Direct peers

• Dechoker: Direct competitor offering a competing anti-choking suction device. LifeVac's FDA De Novo authorization and Red Cross protocol inclusion give it a clear regulatory and credibility lead over Dechoker.

Regional players

• CPR Savers & First Aid Supply: US distributor of first aid, CPR, and emergency preparedness products including competing anti-choking devices. Comparable as a go-to-market channel for emergency preparedness buyers in North America.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lifevac

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lifevac