What indicates severe choking in an individual?

Severe choking is indicated by both an inability to cough and an inability to speak or breathe. When someone is experiencing severe choking, their airway is significantly obstructed, making it impossible for them to get enough air to breathe or to produce sounds, including speech and coughing.

Coughing is the body's natural reflex to clear the airway; if an individual cannot cough, it is a strong sign that their airway is severely blocked. Additionally, the inability to speak indicates that the obstruction is serious enough that normal airflow is disrupted. Therefore, when both these signs are present, it clearly indicates that the person is in a critical state requiring immediate first aid intervention, such as the Heimlich maneuver or calling for emergency help.

Other indicators of severe choking, such as a lack of air exchange and distress, also align with these critical signs. Recognizing the combination of these two factors—not being able to cough or communicate verbally—allows first responders to act promptly in a situation where every second counts.