Life-Saving Innovation on Long Island
A Long Island entrepreneur believes he’s contributing to a noble cause, having helped save over 5,000 lives with his groundbreaking anti-choking device, LifeVac. Notably, his work has also captured the admiration of Dr. Ben Carson.
“Every restaurant and food-serving establishment should have this on hand, with staff trained in its use,” Carson remarked.
Lee, the inventor, is quite proud. He originally designed this suction device more than a decade ago, using a sink plunger and glue in his garage in Massapequa.
Recently, LifeVac reached a significant milestone by preventing 5,000 suffocation deaths.
“We actually had saves in six countries in a single day,” Lee shared, expressing optimism about hitting 10,000 saves this year.
Dedication to a Cause
At 61, Lee operates his Nesconset-based business with heartfelt commitment, even keeping photos of those who have been saved by his invention. He has also donated equipment to every school across the United States, benefitting over 3,000 children, and he offers free replacements for those who need them.
Last June, the LifeVac team successfully advocated for a law in Texas that mandates schools to provide airway devices.
According to Lee, LifeVac is easier to use than the Heimlich maneuver, which requires more training. “It’s so simple, even a child could handle it,” Carson added.
And indeed, children do use it. One mother, Jennifer Glenn, mentioned how her kids learned to use LifeVac, which had been sitting unused before.
Lee has made personal visits to many families who benefited from LifeVac, including the Glenns from Cedar Hill, Texas. They utilized the device years ago to help their son, Quaid, who had choked on candy.
Shortly after, when Quaid faced another choking incident, his sister used the LifeVac to save him. His father, Blake, remarked, “Without this, he wouldn’t be here,” while Jennifer noted that they now give LifeVac as a baby gift.
Lee’s journey began around 2014 when he was poised for retirement after selling a successful shipping business. Hearing about a child’s tragic choking death spurred him to action.
He describes a moment of internal conflict, feeling both discouraged and compelled. Yet, after asking for guidance, he felt assured that he was on the right path.
Lee’s early years were tough. Initially, not a single life was saved, and in 2016, only four lives were saved. He faced rejection from “Shark Tank” investors but persisted. By 2022-2023, the number of saves surged from 357 to 1,011.
In 2024, it reached 1,719, reaching the impressive figure of 5,000 last November, which coincided with Dr. Carson joining as the national spokesperson.
Carson expressed his desire to advocate for something genuinely beneficial, having grown tired of seeing his likeness misused for dubious products.
He found LifeVac through a mutual connection, stating, “It’s an ideal fit. It’s not well known, but once you understand it, it’s so logical.”
“Raising awareness is key,” Carson added, aiming to escalate the number of lifesaving rescues to 10,000 by 2027.
At the ceremony celebrating 5,000 lives saved, Carson compared LifeVac to having a fire extinguisher readily available.
“There are many inventive minds in this country. Few achieve the distinction of creating something that truly saves lives,” he concluded, calling Art Lee a hero.
