Policy committee advances LifeVac device proposal to full board after safety, training and liability debate

The New Hanover County Schools Board of Education policy committee on Jan. 21 voted to move proposed policy 6129 to the full board as a first reading after extended discussion about training, medical endorsements and liability.

Committee members advanced the draft policy with several staff-directed changes: staffing to check insurance-liability coverage, a proposed allocation of two devices per school, and edits removing language that had restricted use to only emergency-response team members. Committee members also asked staff to correct minor typographical punctuation in the draft before it reaches the full board.

The discussion focused on whether the device — described to the committee as a suction-based airway device to be used only after back blows and abdominal thrusts — has sufficient medical and regulatory support for routine placement in schools. Staff and committee members reported that the device is not FDA-approved and that county school nurses and the district school-nurse consultant had expressed reservations about endorsing it. Staff also said the device’s manufacturer offers short online training; the committee debated whether that training would meet requirements for liability protection under state law.

District staff said several implementation constraints must be resolved before policy adoption: ensuring the device is only used by staff trained to the district’s standards, confirming whether the State Board of Education or Department of Public Instruction would consider the device acceptable, and obtaining a clear position from the district’s liability insurer.

Committee members who support limited use described it as a “third-tier” option to try only after Heimlich/back blows fail and emergency medical services are summoned. Other members urged caution because several larger medical organizations and the district’s nursing leadership have not endorsed the device.

On the vote, the committee approved moving 6129, with the listed edits and staff follow-up, to the full board as a first reading. The item will return to the full seven-member board for further consideration and final approval.

The committee’s action was procedural: it advanced the draft policy with requested clarifications rather than adopting an operational protocol. Staff said they will bring back updated language and findings from insurer and DPI conversations before the policy’s next appearance.

Ending: The full board will receive the amended 6129 draft as a first-reading item at its next business meeting; staff will report back to the committee and board on insurance guidance, nurse/health-department input and any applicable DPI or state approvals prior to final action.