Bionix SafeStraw Drinking Aid for Dysphagia - Thin Fluids, Plastic, Limited Bolus Size Control with Float Mechanism, Medical Drinking Straw, 1 Count

Amazing product and must have if you are caring for a person with swallowing issues

It took me a couple of times to figure out how to use it but it did work unfortunately I have no reason to use it any longer.

My hubby is in danger of aspiration and uses a feeding tube - this enables him to use a straw that limits the amount that can be drawn in and avoids the fluids from going down the wrong tube.

This item is completely worthless. It requires an incredible amount of suction to get anything out of it and the amount it releases is minuscule, too little to quench anyone's thirst, even for a person at risk of aspiration. Why bother drinking? To make matters worse, after such a tiny sip, you have to wait 1 to 3 minutes for the chamber to refill so you can take the next tiny sip. My guy just gave up on the beverage even though it was his favorite drink.As someone else mentioned, the parts are so tiny, I immediately dropped one into the sink drain trying to pull them apart (yuck!). I was happy to have found this as I thought it would be nice for him in restaurants and at parties and such to not have to haul around an adaptive cup but the cup is worth it if this is the alternative. And, of course the company will not accept returns or provide refunds for medical products (which this is considered) so no luck getting him a refund. :-( So disappointed.

So disappointed. We assembled this and got it working beautifully. It really helped limit the fluid volume to 5ml. It lasted about 2 days. Then it quit working. No amount of cleaning and reassembly helped. Sometimes the float will catch and control the fluid level. Sometimes it won’t catch and you get unrestricted volume. Sometimes it gets stuck and won’t allow any fluid. The. It got a crack in the side. Not worth it.

Purchased for a person that does Silent Aspiration which causes pneumonia. This was recommended by the Speech Therapist to limit the amount of liquids that are taken to help stop the aspirations. When you add the straw to the canister you have to suck very hard to get any liquid thru the straw. Removed the straw and used with a small glass and the liquid did come out. I didn't realize that 5CC''s was such a small amount of liquid. My patient found it to be really frustrating.

The SafeStaw is almost a miracle. After a stroke my Mom had to learn how to swallow again. After working with many speech therapist and steady improvement, one therapist introduced us to the SafeStraw to allow Mom to get off of the dreaded "thickened liquids". Mom just did not like the taste or texture of thickened liquids. The SafeStraw allowed her to return to regular liquids, especially with her meals. Please reccomend this to your speech therapist. We found not that many have ever heard of it but when they encounter Mom using it they are very impressed and ask for information so they can learn more about it. I can highly reccomend this for your therapist to consider for your needs.

My wife is swalling problems and we needed to restrict the amount of fluids she takes in at meals.We have about 5 SafeStraws, 2 for the house, one in our van for trips and eating out, and one in my wifes pack when she goes out with her care giver.TRUE STORYWe took it to the swallow nurse at the hospital and she was so impressed she had two other nurses come in and see it, the about 10 minutes later another nurse came in to see it.Well worth the investment to save someone from asperating while drinking fluids.