Final answer:
Josh is showing signs of a choking emergency such as being unable to speak, breathe, or cough, and needs immediate intervention. Perform the Heimlich manoeuvre if trained or call for emergency help while seeking assistance from others nearby.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you observe someone like Josh who starts to gag and appears panicked, holding his throat and is unable to make any noise or cough, he is likely choking. The absence of coughing and sound indicates that the airway may be completely blocked, and he cannot breathe. The situation requires an immediate response.
When someone is clutching at their throat and unable to speak, cry out, or breathe easily, they may be experiencing a choking emergency. If not acted upon quickly, the person's face may turn blue from lack of oxygen, which can lead to unconsciousness within a few minutes if the blockage is not removed.
The appropriate response in such a situation is to perform the Heimlich maneuver if you're trained to do so, or call for emergency medical assistance immediately. A bystander or restaurant employee, like the "broad meat-like man in an apron" from the given scenario, can also be summoned for help.