The Tongue Sucker is designed to open the airway of a person who falls unconscious. (image from www.tonguesucker.com)

　　It may look strange - a little like a plastic light bulb - but this simple device, which started out as a student project, has the potential to save many lives.

　　The Tongue Sucker, created by four graduate designers from the Royal College of Art (RCA), is designed to open the airway of a person who falls unconscious.

　　Emergency situation

　　In an emergency situation, an untrained bystander can use the Tongue Sucker by squeezing the bulb and placing it over the tongue of the injured person.

　　The suction draws the tongue off the back of the victim's throat and creates a small gap, which allows the unconscious person to breathe. Once in place, a first aider can easily perform CPR, call for help or see to other casualties.

　　Saving lives

　　The design team - Philip Greer, Graeme Davies, Chris Huntley and Lisa Stroux - invented the Tongue Sucker after seeing the devastation caused by the London terrorist bombings in July 2005.

　　It not only highlighted the need for immediate emergency treatment, especially from bystanders, but also emphasised an unconscious person can die or suffer severe brain damage within four minutes, if the tongue falls to the back of the throat and blocks the airway. With the aim of Suckers being available in every First Aid box, it is hoped that the device will save many lives in the future.

　　Award-winning device

　　Since its creation, the Tongue Sucker has picked up prizes, including the prestigious INDEX Award, given by the Danish Government for designs around the world that improves lives.The INDEX jury, which was particularly impressed with the Tongue Sucker's simplicity and cost effectiveness, said it "will have a huge impact on saving lives in the years to come".

　　A student project with enormous potential

　　The Tongue Sucker is just one of the Royal College of Art Selected Works - an innovation chosen by the RCA for commercial development in partnership with its inventors.

　　"We saw the enormous potential of the idea when it was first presented as a student project," explained Jeremy Myerson, Director of InnovationRCA. "Now we are pressing ahead to develop the device through further prototyping and medical trials."

　　For more information check out the website below.

　　Related links: http://www.tonguesucker.com/

　　(Source: British Consulate-General in Chongqing)