How can you determine if someone is choking severely and needs assistance?

The identification of severe choking is critical for delivering timely assistance. In this case, when a person cannot speak or make any sounds, it indicates that their airway is significantly obstructed by a foreign object. This complete blockage prevents them from inhaling air and communicating, signaling an urgent situation that requires immediate intervention.

This is distinct from other options, where symptoms may suggest mild choking. For instance, holding the stomach tightly may not directly relate to choking and could indicate other issues, while coughing weakly is often a sign that the airway is partially obstructed. Weak coughs suggest that air is still passing through, which is less critical than full obstruction. Similarly, gasping for air, although alarming, can occur in various scenarios and does not necessarily imply complete blockage of the airway.

In essence, the inability to make sounds or speak serves as a clear indicator of severe choking, necessitating the Heimlich maneuver or other interventions to clear the airway and restore breathing.