Two years ago, Shane Weddle’s toddler choked on a snack. He quickly moved into action. Thankfully, he was able to clear her airway using the traditional toddler Heimlich maneuver, but that incident scared him enough that he purchased a LifeVac for their home.
Recently, Weddle, who is a franchisee at FASTSIGNS of Fort Walton Beach, FL, learned of a need to serve those in similar situations when he served on the board of Motorcycle Riding Events of America, a local non-profit. The president of the organization, Shane Forsman, who is also a local deputy and School Resource Officer, created a LifeVac initiative after a similar experience to Weddle’s, where a student told him of a choking event, but was fortunately self cleared in the school cafeteria.
“I had thought there must be some type of anti-choking device to put in the hands of those closest to the most vulnerable choking populations such as children, the elderly and those with special needs,” Shane Forsman said. That’s when he found LifeVac.
In addition to FASTSIGNS, this anti-choking initiative is driven by Motorcycle Riding Events of America and Pensacola Bay Defenders Law Enforcement/Motorcycle Club.
In a short amount of time, FASTSIGNS and the additional organizations have had the opportunity to speak with Law Enforcement Leaders, School Administrators and Adult Living Facility Administrators in the Florida Panhandle, and are gaining momentum. They have also been asked to speak to the Florida Police Chiefs Association and the Florida Sheriffs Association. The Florida Highway Patrol is also going to meet and discuss putting these life-saving devices in every FHP patrol unit across the state. This group of servant leaders has also engaged with state representatives and will discuss potential funding and adding these de-chokers as requirements in legislation.
“For us, it’s just the right thing to do. We have been blessed, and that means that we have the resources to leverage to help our community and potentially save someone's life,” shared Shane Weddle. “It is incredibly important to be a leader and give back to your community. To me, giving back helps your community improve, shows your team that you care, gives them pride when they get behind the initiative, and also helps us communicate that we are here to be a community partner and leader.”
Other local companies that have recently become involved with this initiative include:
- Warren Averett Accountants
- Tow Logix
- Chick-fil-A Fort Walton Beach
- Hill-Kelly Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram
- World Ford Pensacola
- Milton Gracie Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling
- JP Carducci Inc Construction Services
- Inspection Protection LLC