At Banana Moon Bromley, safeguarding and child wellbeing remain central to our practice. As part of our ongoing commitment to safety, we are pleased to confirm that a LifeVac anti-choking device has now been installed at our setting. This forms part of the Bright Futures: Big Moments campaign, delivered in partnership with Eden Training Solutions and the Banana Moon Franchise network.

What is a LifeVac Device?
LifeVac is a non-powered suction device that can be used in rare choking emergencies. It is only to be used when all standard first aid procedures, such as back blows and abdominal thrusts, have been attempted and proven unsuccessful. If a child becomes unconscious before an obstruction is cleared, the LifeVac may be used as a final step before moving to CPR while emergency services are on the way.

The device is:

Why We Are Introducing LifeVac
The importance of this initiative was reinforced during a recent Banana Moon Development Day, where guest speaker Lewis Steeper shared the story of his son, Oliver Steeper. Oliver tragically passed away in 2021 following a choking incident at nursery. His parents, Lewis and Zoe, have since launched The Oliver Steeper Foundation, which is actively equipping Ofsted-registered early years settings with LifeVac devices.

We are honoured to support this cause and to contribute to the national effort to raise awareness and improve emergency preparedness across the sector.  To learn more or support the foundation, visit: www.tosf.org.uk

Implementation at Our Setting
Our LifeVac device is located in a central area of the nursery, and is attached to a wall-mounted instruction poster for rapid access.

All relevant staff have completed accredited LifeVac training and are aware of the procedures for usage, reporting, and follow-up. This training is maintained in line with our paediatric first aid certification cycle.

As with all first aid equipment, the LifeVac will be included in our routine inspections and replaced as needed. This initiative complements our existing safety measures, which include:

A Culture of Continuous Improvement
We do not take lightly the responsibility of caring for the youngest and most vulnerable in our society. As part of the Banana Moon network, we are proud to take part in initiatives that push for higher standards across the early years sector. LifeVac is not about replacing existing training or procedures, but about adding one more layer of preparedness in situations where every second counts.

If you would like to learn more, donate to the Oliver Steeper Foundation, or purchase a LifeVac device for your home or setting, please visit www.tosf.org.uk.

For any questions about our safety procedures, please speak to a member of the management team, or email info@bananamoon-bromley.co.uk