Saving lives really shouldn’t be controversial. But the brouhaha over an anti-choking device in Australia engulfing local councils and child and aged care providers has seen it become just that.

Most of the noise is being generated by Simon Gould, the director and owner of Medics for Life Group, which has the rights to sell the LifeVac in this country.

The LifeVac is a handheld suction device being marketed as a game changer in clearing the throats of choking victims when first aid fails.

Despite Mr Gould’s urging, some medical organisations that governments pay attention to warn against using it.

Mr Gould has fights afoot on multiple fronts to get his product into schools, creches, residential aged care homes and other community facilities. Death rates from choking are set to rise fur

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