5 - 5 - 5: A Call to Action Following Tragic School Choking Death

LifeVac urges schools nationwide to strengthen choking emergency preparedness following the heartbreaking death of an 8-year-old Texas student

NESCONSET, N.Y., Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The heartbreaking death of 8-year-old Adrian Thompson, who choked during lunch at her elementary school in Lindale, Texas, has shaken families and educators across the country. Recently released surveillance footage shows the young girl desperately seeking help before reaching the school nurse's office. Despite reported efforts to save her, Adrian died the following day. Her tragic death serves as a painful reminder that choking emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time, and that every second matters.

For LifeVac founder and CEO Arthur Lih, tragedies like Adrian's are precisely why he invented the device. After learning of a child who died from choking despite conventional rescue efforts, Lih committed himself to developing another option when established choking protocols fail. Today, LifeVac is calling on schools, educators, and caregivers nationwide to become familiar with its proposed 5 - 5 - 5 approach: five back blows, five abdominal thrusts, and, when established choking protocols have been unsuccessful, five LifeVac pulls.

The approach emphasizes immediate recognition of a choking emergency, prompt use of established Basic Life Support (BLS) choking protocols, and access to LifeVac as a second-line treatment for complete airway obstruction. LifeVac is an FDA-authorized Class II medical device classified as a "suction anti-choking device as a second-line treatment," intended for use when a current choking protocol has been followed without success.

No family should have to endure the unimaginable loss of a child during an ordinary school day. While the circumstances surrounding Adrian's death continue to raise difficult questions, LifeVac believes the most meaningful response is to ensure that every school has a comprehensive choking emergency response plan, properly trained personnel, and immediate access to appropriate emergency equipment.

In 2023, LifeVac pledged to donate one device to every school in the United States, a commitment rooted in the belief that financial limitations should never stand in the way of emergency preparedness. That commitment remains unchanged. In addition, LifeVac offers a free, comprehensive training video on its website, providing educators, caregivers, and first responders with instruction on the proper use of the device during a choking emergency. The training is available to everyone at https://lifevac.net/pages/lifevac-training. Schools interested in obtaining their donated device and learning more about LifeVac training resources are encouraged to contact the company directly.

Adrian's family has suffered a loss no parent should ever experience. LifeVac extends its deepest condolences to her loved ones and hopes that greater awareness, education, and preparation can help prevent future tragedies.

About LifeVac LLC:
LifeVac is a company known for its lifesaving airway clearance device of the same name. Founded in 2012, it is based out of Nesconset, New York. It is registered with the FDA, MHRA, and Australia ARTG.

Media Contact: Laura Bonelli, 516-659-4122

SOURCE LifeVac LLC