Technology Desk – Apple Watch Fall Detection: A safety feature of the Apple Watch proved life-saving for a man in the United States. After a sudden fall, when he couldn’t summon help, the watch automatically detected the situation and sent a notification to emergency services. A medical team arrived on time, and he received hospital treatment, saving his life.
Suddenly he fell and could not summon help.
New Delhi. Smartwatches are no longer just a means of checking the time or tracking fitness. They’re sometimes even saving lives in difficult situations. One such incident occurred in Ohio, USA, where a key feature of the Apple Watch played a crucial role in saving a person’s life by summoning emergency help in time.
According to media reports, the man, Mohammad Islam, was already unwell. He was having trouble breathing and feeling weak. While leaving his home, he suddenly collapsed. After the fall, he was unable to get up and call anyone.
The watch itself sensed the danger and made the call
Shortly after the fall, the Apple Watch detected something unusual. When the watch didn’t detect any movement for a long time, it automatically called emergency services. An ambulance arrived shortly afterward, and the person was taken to the hospital.
Doctors diagnosed blood clots in his lungs. Timely treatment improved his condition. Had help arrived late, the situation could have been serious.
How does the Fall Detection feature work?
The Fall Detection feature in Apple Watch is designed to detect a sharp jolt or a hard fall. When the watch detects a serious fall, it first vibrates the wrist, sounds an alert, and asks if everything is okay on the screen.
If the user responds or moves normally, no emergency call is made. However, if no movement is detected for approximately one minute, the watch initiates an emergency procedure. After a few seconds of warning, it automatically calls emergency services.
Smartwatch also sends location
Not only does it make calls, Apple Watch also shares the user’s location with emergency services. Additionally, messages are sent to those added as emergency contacts, informing them that the user has fallen and needs help. This allows both family and rescue teams to receive immediate information.
Which devices have this feature?
The Fall Detection feature is available on the Apple Watch Series 4 and later, the Apple Watch SE (and later), and the Apple Watch Ultra series. This feature is on by default for users age 55 and older. Younger users can manually turn it on by going to the Emergency SOS settings in the Watch app on their iPhone.
Not just a smart gadget, but also a safety companion
This incident shows that modern wearable devices aren’t limited to fitness tracking. Safety features activated at the right time can also help when a person is unable to contact someone. Such features can be especially useful for the elderly, those living alone, and those with serious health conditions.