Anti-choking devices rolled out after grieving father's plea
The City of Vincent will install 10 life-saving anti-choking machines in various locations after a Perth father advocated for LifeVac machines to be provided after the death of his son at Burns Beach in Iluka last year.
Council members voted unanimously in favour of installing the devices at city-managed facilities after it was proposed by councillors Nicole Woolf and Suzanne Worner at their May meeting.
Brian Bwoga, father of 22-month-old Zaza, faced a parent's worst nightmare when his son had four grapes lodged in his throat and died.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.
Mr Bwoga came to the meeting on Tuesday night and shared his gratitude to the council, regardless of how they chose to vote.
'Without you guys hearing my backstory of how my son passed away I wouldn't be here tonight.' he said.
Mr Bwoga shared at the May meeting his heart-wrenching story of how his son died in his arms despite attempting CPR and mouth-to-mouth. LifeVac devices can clear obstructions from the windpipe. Credit: LifeVac
'I already did my first-aid course; my oldest son was there with me and his best friends,' he said at the meeting.
'While my son was dying in my arms all I remember I carried him running towards a defibrillator because I thought it was the right tool.
'I delivered my son in my arms and he gave me the same look as when he was passing away.
'We know it takes less than four minutes for brain damage, and less than six minutes to pronounce someone as dead.
'It took 20 minutes for the ambulance to show up.'
Mr Bwoga said he was 'so pissed off' when he found the LifeVac device and didn't know the device, which had been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia since 2011, even existed.
He said he wanted to turn his grief into a purpose. Brian Bwoga and 22-month-old son Zaza, who died after choking on a grape. Credit: Manuel Goria
'I request for you guys to consider installing this next to your city-run facilities so a parent will never go through the same thing,' Mr Bwoga said.
The LifeVac unit consists of a plastic plunger with a one-way valve and a facemask that attaches to the plunger.
Staff will be given training on how to use the new devices in locations such as Beatty Park Leisure Centre, Loftus Community Centre, Loftus Recreation Centre and Vincent Library.
The City of Joondalup was the first Perth council to roll out the devices in April, having 38 LifeVac devices across the city. Mr Bwoga has also pitched the devices to the City of Wanneroo.
The Town of Bassendean will also consider the installation of LifeVac machines, with mayor Kath Hamilton's motion to install the devices to be discussed at the town's meeting on June 24.
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Perth Now
a day ago
- Perth Now
Anti-choking devices rolled out after grieving father's plea
The City of Vincent will install 10 life-saving anti-choking machines in various locations after a Perth father advocated for LifeVac machines to be provided after the death of his son at Burns Beach in Iluka last year. Council members voted unanimously in favour of installing the devices at city-managed facilities after it was proposed by councillors Nicole Woolf and Suzanne Worner at their May meeting. Brian Bwoga, father of 22-month-old Zaza, faced a parent's worst nightmare when his son had four grapes lodged in his throat and died. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Mr Bwoga came to the meeting on Tuesday night and shared his gratitude to the council, regardless of how they chose to vote. 'Without you guys hearing my backstory of how my son passed away I wouldn't be here tonight.' he said. Mr Bwoga shared at the May meeting his heart-wrenching story of how his son died in his arms despite attempting CPR and mouth-to-mouth. LifeVac devices can clear obstructions from the windpipe. Credit: LifeVac 'I already did my first-aid course; my oldest son was there with me and his best friends,' he said at the meeting. 'While my son was dying in my arms all I remember I carried him running towards a defibrillator because I thought it was the right tool. 'I delivered my son in my arms and he gave me the same look as when he was passing away. 'We know it takes less than four minutes for brain damage, and less than six minutes to pronounce someone as dead. 'It took 20 minutes for the ambulance to show up.' Mr Bwoga said he was 'so pissed off' when he found the LifeVac device and didn't know the device, which had been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia since 2011, even existed. He said he wanted to turn his grief into a purpose. Brian Bwoga and 22-month-old son Zaza, who died after choking on a grape. Credit: Manuel Goria 'I request for you guys to consider installing this next to your city-run facilities so a parent will never go through the same thing,' Mr Bwoga said. The LifeVac unit consists of a plastic plunger with a one-way valve and a facemask that attaches to the plunger. Staff will be given training on how to use the new devices in locations such as Beatty Park Leisure Centre, Loftus Community Centre, Loftus Recreation Centre and Vincent Library. The City of Joondalup was the first Perth council to roll out the devices in April, having 38 LifeVac devices across the city. Mr Bwoga has also pitched the devices to the City of Wanneroo. The Town of Bassendean will also consider the installation of LifeVac machines, with mayor Kath Hamilton's motion to install the devices to be discussed at the town's meeting on June 24.
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Rule change means gay and bisexual men can donate plasma without wait times
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