New Lifesaving, Anti-Choking Devices Donated By Kait's Angels On LI

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NORTH FORK, NY — Kait's Angels, an organization created to forever honor the memory of a young North Fork woman who died while away at college, has now continued its legacy of caring — on Friday, the group donated a device meant to save lives.

At the event, held at the Branch Brewing Company in Mattituck, Kait’s Angels hosted a presentation ceremony to celebrate their donation of 120 LifeVac kits to local school and police departments.

LifeVac, Kait's Angels said, "is a non-powered, non-invasive, single-use only airway clearance device developed for resuscitating a victim with an airway obstruction when current choking protocols have been followed without success. LifeVac has a one-way valve that does not allow any air to enter a choking victim on the downward motion. The LifeVac comes fully equipped with an adult mask, a pediatric mask, and a practice mask. The duration of the suction is minimal, which makes LifeVac safe and effective. LifeVac is easy to use in an obstructed airway emergency."

Representatives from Southold, Greenport, Shelter Island and Fishers Island schools, the Riverhead Charter School, Peconic Landing, and Southold and Shelter Island Police Departments attended, as did representatives of the Southold town board and members of the LiveVac executive board.

The event included a demonstration by LiveVac and the devices were also available for sale.

William Araneo, president of Kait’s Angels, spoke about the initiative: "This project complements our mission in that we strive to provide emotional and financial support for our North Fork neighbors, focusing on physical and mental well-being. LifeVac will be a vital addition for our educators, police and others to ensure the well-being of those in crisis."

At the event, Araneo spoke about Kaitlyn Doorhy, whose loss still echoes profoundly, 10 years after her death.

"Although there are more than a few in this room who could lay claim to the same emotion, my wife Mary Lou and I thought of Kaitlyn as a daughter, while our daughters Joanna and Corinne most definitely thought of her as a sister."

He added: "When I think of Kaitlyn, I think of a force; a force for change, for courage, for speaking out on what's right, for education, for justice, for couture, for style, for ambition, for community spirit, and for faith."

From the first, Kaitlyn was focused on giving back through community events, athletic boosters, and other causes — she was also a past Mattituck Lions Club Strawberry Queen in 2011, Araneo said.

"Her quilt of accomplishments was well-developed beyond her age," he said.

After she died, Kait's Angels was created to keep her legacy flourishing. Kaitlyn, Araneo said, was "a beautiful soul, with a kind heart — compassionate. She realized the power in community and believed in the value of each individual."

Joe Doorhy, Kaitlyn's father, said the LifeVac device is invaluable; anyone can use the device if someone is choking.. "Kids, adults — you can use it on yourself, if you're home alone," he said.

According to LifeVac, here are two mask sizes, one for children and the other for adults; the pediatric mask is recommended for children 22 lbs. and up, the company said.

Consumer Reports said that LifeVac instructs that its masks should be used after other airway obstruction methods have failed. Traditional methods such as a rotation back slaps and chest compressions, should be used first, LifeVac said, and then, the Heimlich maneuver, if the child is big enough, according to Consumer Reports.

Joe Doorhy agreed those methods should be utilized first, but, if traditional life-saving techniques don't work, the LifeVacs can mean all the difference at a moment when time is of the essence.

LifeVac said as of November, there have been 3143 lives saved including, most recently, a toddler, and a girl, 6, who choked on a lollipop.

The devices were all distributed free to schools and police, and will be available in police cars and on marine vessels; schools will also have them in the cafeteria, main office and with the athletic directors.

The project ties right in with the core mission of Kait's Angels, Doorhy said. "We believe in serving the community, and this equipment saves lives. If this saves one life, it was well worth it."

Darla Doorhy, Kaitlyn's mother, also spoke at the event, saying she hoped none of the schools, police departments and first responders would need to use the LifeVacs.

Doorhy gave a shout-out to her husband, who chaired the event, as well as to Larry Frasca, owner of the Branch Brewery, and to Southold Town Supervisor Al Krupski and town board members Dr. Anne Smith, Greg Doroski, and Jill Doherty, for their support.

"Kait's Angels is always trying to help our community stay safe," she said. "That's the Kaitlyn Doorhy way — helping others."