Final answer:
In the case of a choking 9 year old, you should begin care immediately because consent is implied, with immediate actions including encouraging coughing, back slaps, the Heimlich maneuver, and calling emergency services if necessary.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you witness a 9 year old who cannot cough, speak, or make any sound, and appears to be choking, you should begin care immediately because consent is implied. In emergency situations involving a minor where a parent or guardian is not present, consent for care is presumed, especially when the situation is life-threatening and requires immediate attention. Children are not competent to provide consent for themselves, and waiting for expressed consent might delay necessary treatment that could prevent severe harm or even death.
Immediate actions could include encouraging the 9 year old to cough, if possible, giving them back slaps, or performing the Heimlich maneuver if you are trained to do so. These steps may help to dislodge the item that's causing the blockage in the airway. If these steps do not work, or the child becomes unconscious, call for emergency medical help right away.
In scenarios like this, it is appropriate and oftentimes vital to act swiftly instead of waiting for consent, as every second counts when someone is choking and unable to breathe.