What immediate action should be taken for a person choking?

The Heimlich maneuver, which involves a series of abdominal thrusts designed to expel an object blocking the airway, is the appropriate immediate action to take for someone who is choking. When a person is unable to breathe, speak, or cough effectively due to an obstruction, the Heimlich maneuver can create enough pressure to force the object out of the airway. This method is crucial in such emergency situations where minutes can make a significant difference in the person's ability to breathe and potentially their survival.

Encouraging the person to drink water or giving them food to chew could actually increase the risk of choking further, as it does not address the obstruction in the airway. Waiting for them to cough it out is not advisable either, especially if they show signs of distress and are struggling to breathe, as this can lead to severe complications if the obstruction isn’t removed promptly. Thus, quickly performing the Heimlich maneuver is the most effective and immediate response in this scenario.