Act Fast

What Act Fast does

Act+Fast (DBA Act Fast Medical) is a privately held, founder-owned manufacturer of wearable anti-choking training devices, headquartered in El Dorado Hills, California. Founded in 2008 by practicing anesthesiologist Dr. Timothy Adams, the company invented the world's first wearable anti-choking training vest to solve the problem that traditional CPR manikins cannot provide realistic feedback on abdominal thrust technique. The flagship product line comprises three neoprene vests — the Adult Blue Trainer ($139), Adult Red Trainer ($149) with integrated back slap pad, and Children's Yellow Trainer ($119) for ages 5-11 — each built around a patented air bladder mechanism that ejects a foam plug only when the trainee applies correct force and hand placement, delivering unambiguous physical feedback for skill mastery.

The core technology is a precision-calibrated mechanical system: a pre-loaded foam plug in an airway chamber ejects when abdominal thrusts are executed correctly, simulating airway clearance without instructor verification. The company also sells consumable foam plug refill packs ($10 for 30 reusable plugs), an attachable back slap pad accessory ($20), a downloadable Choking Prevention & First Aid Guide ($10), and the 'Everyone Can Be A Hero' curriculum ($19) for grades 6-12 aligned to AHA, ARC, and ERC protocols. Revenue is generated through one-time hardware and consumable sales with no subscription model, supported by a 15% bulk discount on 4-pack bundles and tax-exempt purchasing for qualifying institutions.

Go-to-market is hybrid: direct-to-consumer e-commerce via actfastmed.com for US and Canada customers, paired with a 140+ authorized distributor network covering 70+ countries across EMEA, APAC, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Marquee customers include the American Red Cross, US Army, Disney, Kaiser Permanente, CIA, US Supreme Court, YMCA, Boy/Girl Scouts, LEGO, Pittsburgh Steelers, LA County Fire Department, and SFO Airport — though these are predominantly training-program adopters rather than disclosed high-volume contracts. The company operates as a bootstrapped LLC with 11-50 employees, no disclosed external funding, and active trademark enforcement against counterfeit products.

Name

Act Fast

Legal name

Act+Fast LLC

Website

https://actfastmed.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Act+Fast is a California-based manufacturer that invented the first wearable anti-choking training vest in 2008. It sells patented mechanical training devices ($119-$149) and consumables to CPR instructors, schools, fire departments, hospitals, and consumers across 70+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Training Equipment

SIC

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

EMS Education, Training & Simulation Centers (HLAFANAL)

Keywords

• Anti-choking training
• Medical training equipment
• CPR training devices
• First aid simulators
• Choking rescue trainers

Headquarters

HQ city

El Dorado Hills

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Training Vest Hardware Sales: Sale of wearable anti-choking training vests (Blue, Red, Yellow models) as durable goods. Primary revenue stream. Single-unit and bulk bundle pricing available.
2. Consumable Foam Plugs: Replacement foam plugs sold in packs of 30 (10 beginner, 20 advanced for adults; or children's size). Consumable item requiring regular replacement for ongoing training programs.
3. Accessories: AttachablBack Slap Pad ($20) for Blue Trainer to enable dual-protocol training. Replacement parts and add-on equipment.
4. Educational Curriculum: Everyone Can Be A Hero curriculum ($19) includes printed manual and USB drive for grades 6-12. Choking Prevention Guide ($10) available as downloadable PDF.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Act+Fast designs, manufactures, and sells wearable anti-choking training vests (Adult Blue, Adult Red, and Children's Yellow) with a patented air bladder mechanism that ejects a foam plug when correct abdominal thrust technique is performed, giving students immediate physical feedback. The product line is supported by consumable foam plug refills, an attachable back slap pad, a downloadable choking prevention guide, and a grades 6–12 curriculum aligned with AHA, ARC, IRC, and ERC protocols.

Product overview

Act+Fast is a physical product company offering three anti-choking training vests as its core product line: the Adult Blue Trainer ($139) for abdominal thrust-only protocols, the Adult Red Trainer ($149) with integrated back slap pad for full protocol training, and the Children's Yellow Trainer ($119) sized for ages 5–11. All trainers use a patented air bladder mechanism that ejects a foam plug when correct technique is applied, providing immediate physical feedback. The portfolio is supported by consumable foam plug refill packs, an attachable back slap pad accessory, and educational content including a Choking Prevention Guide and the Everyone Can Be A Hero curriculum for middle and high school programs. Products ship direct to US and Canada with a 1-year warranty.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Adult Blue Trainer Wearable anti-choking training vest for adults and teens ages 12+. Simulates abdominal thrust technique with patented air bladder and foam plug ejection feedback. Back slap pad sold separately.
• Adult Red Trainer All-in-one adult anti-choking trainer (ages 12+) with integrated back slap pad. Supports complete choking rescue simulation including abdominal thrusts and back blows per AHA, ARC, IRC, and ERC protocols.
• Children's Yellow Trainer Anti-choking trainer sized and designed for children ages 5–11. Uses the same patented foam plug ejection feedback as adult models, includes an integrated back slap pad, and features a translucent airway for visual confirmation of technique.
• Attachable Back Slap Pad Attachable back slap pad and support plate for the Adult Blue Trainer, enabling dual-protocol practice including back blows per AHA, ARC, and ERC protocols. Priced at $20.
• Reusable Foam Plugs (Adult) Refill pack of 30 reusable foam plugs compatible with Blue and Red adult trainers. Includes 20 beginner-size plugs and 10 advanced-size plugs for progressive training difficulty. Priced at $10 per pack.
• Reusable Foam Plugs (Children) Refill pack of 30 smaller foam plugs compatible with the Children's Yellow Trainer. Sized for the narrower children's airway, with 10 beginner-size and 20 advanced-size plugs per pack. Priced at $10.
• Choking Prevention & First Aid Guide Downloadable PDF guide authored by Ted T. Crites, CHES, covering choking hazards, recognition, rescue techniques, and emergency response for school-age children. Priced at $10.
• Everyone Can Be A Hero Curriculum Official Act+Fast choking rescue training curriculum for grades 6–12. Includes printed instructor manual and USB drive with classroom-ready lessons, slides, and activities aligned with AHA, ARC, and ERC guidelines. Priced at $19 per curriculum with bulk pricing for schools.

Quantifiable outcome

• Immediate, unambiguous feedback eliminates uncertainty about technique correctness
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Distributor NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor140+ authorized distributors in 70+ countries spanning Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Distributors provide local sales, customer support, training resources, and competitive pricing in their regions. Competitive wholesale pricing with volume tiers, marketing support with assets and co-branding options, dedicated account support, and listing on official distributor map.
• Cabin Crew SafetyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdded Act Fast range of anti-choking training devices to their portfolio of representative training devices for cabin crew and aviation safety training.
• SoFraPa (Italian Distributor)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian distributor offering Act+Fast training vests in Italy, including demonstration to children performing Heimlich maneuver training.
• Stowarzyszenie PoMocny Sztab (Polish Distributor)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPolish distributor received donation of two Act+Fast trainers for first aid training programs in Poland.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Prestan Products: Prestan is a US-based manufacturer of CPR training manikins and AED trainers used by CPR instructors, schools, and workplaces. Directly comparable as a competing CPR/first-aid training equipment vendor targeting similar institutional buyers.
• 3B Scientific: 3B Scientific is a global manufacturer and distributor of medical training and simulation products, including CPR/resuscitation manikins and clinical skill trainers. Directly comparable as a medical training equipment vendor serving nursing schools, EMS programs, and hospitals.
• Laerdal Medical: Laerdal Medical is the world's leading manufacturer of CPR and resuscitation training manikins (Resusci Anne, Little Anne, etc.) and the dominant incumbent in medical simulation training. Directly comparable as a medical training equipment company serving the same CPR/first-aid instructor and EMS customer base that Act+Fast targets.
• Nasco Healthcare: Nasco Healthcare (a division of Nasco) manufactures CPR training manikins (Life/form), AED trainers, and emergency medical simulation products. Directly comparable as a competing CPR/first-aid training equipment vendor with a similar institutional and educational customer base.
• Simulaids: Simulaids manufactures medical and trauma training simulators including CPR manikins, choking rescue trainers, and emergency response simulation equipment. Direct peer in producing physical training devices for emergency medical skills, including a competing anti-choking training product.
• Ambu: Ambu is a global medical device company with a significant training and simulation portfolio including CPR manikins and airway management trainers. Comparable as a medical training equipment manufacturer with global distribution and institutional healthcare customers.

Broad incumbents

• American Heart Association (Training Network): The American Heart Association runs the largest CPR and emergency cardiovascular care training network in the US, certifying instructors and organizations. Broad incumbent that controls the protocol standards (referenced by Act+Fast trainers) and serves as both an indirect channel partner and adjacent training authority.
• CAE Healthcare: CAE Healthcare is the medical simulation division of CAE Inc., offering high-fidelity patient simulators, simulation software, and training services for healthcare professionals. Broad incumbent operating in the same medical training/simulation space with a much larger portfolio across multiple clinical disciplines.
• HealthStream: HealthStream is a healthcare workforce training, compliance, and credentialing platform used by hospitals and health systems. Broad incumbent addressing the same end-buyer (hospital education departments) through digital training solutions rather than physical simulation hardware.

Emerging players

• HeartSine Technologies (Stryker): HeartSine (now part of Stryker) manufactures AEDs and AED training devices used by CPR instructors and first-responder training programs. Comparable as a vendor of emergency-response training equipment sold into the same CPR/first-aid instructor and workplace-safety customer segments.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/actfastmed
• Facebookfacebook.com/actfasttrainer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/act-fast-medical-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Act Fast