My wife is Japanese, and she said that in Japan lots of old people choke on mochi (a sticky sweet made from rice). From what she says, when this happens - the best thing to use is a vacuum cleaner. I also remember a scene from Tampopo[0] where this takes place. Sounds pretty scary and odd, but probably not an entire myth[1,2]
I wonder how effective this is, and what are the risks to the lungs after whatever's stuck gets dislodged.
I guess when you're choking, you'd take that risk if all else fails (if you or someone around you can act fast enough to pull a vacuum cleaner...)
I guess it won't exactly work with a "standing" vacuum cleaner(like [0]), but in recent years, most vacuum cleaners I see -- like the one you linked to -- have a long hose, and you can definitely fit it in someone's mouth. (you remove the big attachment at the end)
On the cost side, you can probably get a nice vacuum cleaner for $150 :)
I'm still wondering about how effective vs. how risky this technique might be though
I wonder how effective this is, and what are the risks to the lungs after whatever's stuck gets dislodged.
I guess when you're choking, you'd take that risk if all else fails (if you or someone around you can act fast enough to pull a vacuum cleaner...)
[0] http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092048/
[1] http://www.accessj.com/2012/01/choking-on-mochi-grab-vacuum....
[2] http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2001/01/07/national/daughte...