A GRIEVING father’s heart-wrenching plea has prompted Vincent council to consider installing anti-choking devices across its community facilities.
Brian Bwoga of Beldon stood before Vincent councillors at Tuesday’s meeting to share the devastating story of his 22-month-old son Zaza, who died in his arms after choking on grapes.
“I shouldn’t be here, but unfortunately, I’m here,” Mr Bwoga said through tears.
Brian Bwoga and his son Zaza, who died in his arms after choking. Photo: City of Joondalup
“Last year, my son passed away from a choking incident, unfortunately, in my arms. I tried everything, including CPR, mouth to mouth, and unfortunately I was unable to save him.”
Zaza had been playing with a friend from a mother’s group when he was handed grapes. Four became lodged in his throat.
“I carried him, running towards a defibrillator because I thought a defibrillator was right to be able to take the grapes out.”
But help was too far away. “By the time I was calling the ambulance, I already knew he was dead.
“It took 20 minutes for the ambulance to show up.”
Mr Bwoga’s grief was compounded by a sense of helplessness and a near-fatal emotional toll.
“I tried to kill myself seven times. I felt like I was a failure.”
It was only after discovering a device called LifeVac, a suction-based airway clearance tool, that he found a new purpose. The device, which he learned had been approved for sale in Australia since 2011, became the focus of his advocacy.
“I was so pissed off… I didn’t know that there was this device… approved by the TGA in Australia since 2011,” he said.
The father has since lobbied for LifeVac devices to be placed alongside public defibrillators. “The City of Joondalup was the first city in the world to install this next to a defibrillator. It cost them $5,200 to install 38 of them,” he explained. “It cost me $15,000 to bury my son. I only had $300 in my pocket.”
Mr Bwoga now urges other councils, including Vincent, to follow Joondalup’s lead. “I’m here to request for you guys to consider installing this next in your city-run facilities.”
His call did not go unanswered.
Cr Nicole Woolf, moved by Mr Bwoga’s advocacy, presented a motion co-authored with Cr Suzanne Worner calling for the City to formally investigate the installation of LifeVac devices at community facilities.
“Brian, we at the City of Vincent are so deeply sorry for the tragic loss of your son, Zaza,” Cr Woolf said.
“We really admire your strength and the way that you’ve channelled your grief into advocacy for positive change.”
The motion calls for the City’s CEO to prepare a detailed report “outlining the costs, benefits and risks of installing LifeVac airway clearance devices in City of Vincent community facilities,” including recommendations for implementation by August 2025.
Cr Woolf noted the devices’ simplicity and utility.
“LifeVacs are approved for sale in Australia as a class one medical device, no special training is required… they come with easy instructions that can be quickly mastered in an emergency.”
She clarified that the devices are “not designed to be a replacement for first aid,” but rather a “vital last resort” when conventional methods like back blows or chest thrusts fail, or in cases involving mobility impairments or small-statured rescuers.
The City’s administration backed the motion, noting that choking is a leading cause of accidental death among children under 14 and elderly Australians.
According to their report, choking accounts for 40 child deaths annually and 1,200 deaths in total across the country.
by STEVE GRANT