"I Lost My 2-Year-Old Son, Liam, to Choking… This Could Have Saved His Life"
June 6, 2026 | by Joyce Sommers
Parents, do not make the mistake I made.
I remember it like it was yesterday. The worst day of my life.
My little boy, Liam, was full of joy that evening. He had just learned to say, "I love you, Mama."
Those were his last words to me.
I tried everything. Back blows. CPR. The Heimlich. I called 911 and begged.
None of it worked. His lips turned blue. And I lost my baby boy.
The pain of not being able to save him is with me every single day.
For months I replayed that night, thinking one thing: "If only I had been ready."
Then I learned about a small device called AirwayClear. And I could not stop thinking:
"This could have saved his life."
If you have kids, here is what you need to know.
If you're reading this, you're probably a parent too. You know the fear. A grape. A piece of hot dog. A bead from a sibling's craft box. Anything can block a small airway.
I'm not telling you this to scare you. I'm telling you because I learned the next part too late:
The methods you're counting on fail more than anyone tells you.
"But will it really work when I need it most?"
I had the same doubt. In the panic of a real emergency, would I even be able to use it?
Here's why the answer is yes. There is no technique to remember. No positioning to get right. No force to judge. Place. Push. Pull. That's the whole thing.
The kit comes with an adult mask, a child mask, and a practice mask — so you can try it once and know exactly what to do.
But don't take my word for it. Here's what other parents say:
"My daughter choked on avocado — the softest food there is. Back blows did nothing. One pull with this device and the chunk flew out. It is never out of arm's reach now."
✓ Verified Purchase"I practiced back blows for months. When my 16-month-old actually choked, I went blank. My husband grabbed the AirwayClear and cleared it in seconds. I cried for an hour after — not from the choking. From realizing how helpless I was without a backup."
✓ Verified Purchase"I'm a pediatric nurse. I don't care how many CPR classes you've taken — when it's YOUR child turning blue, your brain stops working. This works when your brain doesn't."
✓ Verified PurchaseAirwayClear vs. the methods you were taught
Back blows and the Heimlich save lives. Learn them. But they have limits nobody talks about — and I found those limits on the worst night of my life.
| AirwayClear | Heimlich / Back Blows | |
|---|---|---|
| Works with zero training | ✓ | ✗ Needs technique |
| Works when you panic | ✓ 3 steps | ✗ Easy to do wrong |
| Works if you're alone | ✓ Self-use | ✗ Very hard |
| Safe for kids, pregnant women, elderly | ✓ | ✗ Can break ribs |
| Works on anyone 22+ lbs | ✓ | Varies by age |
Still not sure you need a backup? Ask yourself these questions:
If back blows don't work, what is your next move?
Could you do the Heimlich on a squirming, terrified toddler? On a pregnant woman? On yourself?
The average 911 response is 7+ minutes. Brain damage starts at 4. What happens in between?
Did you know chest thrusts can break ribs even when done correctly?
If any of those made your stomach drop, you already know the answer.
AirwayClear is the backup plan — for the moment when everything you were taught isn't working and every second counts.
It never expires. And if you ever use it in a real emergency, the company replaces it free. One purchase protects your family for good.
"I can't afford NOT to have this."
At first I hesitated. I thought, "It's money spent on something I might never use."
Then I think back to losing Liam.
What would I have given to have this device within reach that night? Everything. I would have given everything.
It costs less than one trip to urgent care. And unlike a hospital bill, you only pay for it once.
Why AirwayClear over other anti-choking devices?
After my loss, I researched all of them. They are not all the same.
Some lose their mask seal. Some must be thrown away after one use and bought again at full price. Some take two strong hands to operate.
AirwayClear works with one pull. The masks seal tight. It's one piece — nothing to assemble while your child is turning blue. And when you use it, they replace it free.
Don't be haunted by "what if."
The weight I carry is something I would not wish on anyone. If you're reading this, you're thinking of someone you'd do anything to protect.
I learned about AirwayClear too late. I'm writing this so you don't.
You buy a fire extinguisher hoping you never use it. This is the same. No setup. No batteries. It sits in a drawer until the worst moment of your life — and then it works.
Three steps. That's all there is to remember:
The one-way valve is the key. When you push down, air exits out the side — nothing pushes the blockage deeper. When you pull back, it creates the suction that pulls the object out.
Most blockages clear in one pull. If not, you repeat the steps until it's out.
Choking takes a child in seconds. Be ready in three.
You don't have to live with the constant "what if." Or worse — the "I wish" that I live with.
AirwayClear is on sale right now for more than 50% off. Here is exactly what it costs:
Don't wait until it's too late. Give yourself the peace of mind I so desperately wish I had.
"Get prepared today — because every second counts."
Written by Joyce Sommers — mother of three.
This article reflects personal experience and is not medical advice. Always learn standard choking response techniques and consult your pediatrician about child safety. AirwayClear is designed as a backup device for when standard choking response techniques have been attempted or are not working.