Apple Watch Helped Save Lives of Two Individuals With Fall Detection Feature

:Apple Watch’s Fall Detection Feature Saved Two Lives

The health features of the Apple Watch grabbed headlines this month and are credited with saving at least two lives. Fall detection proved useful in two emergency situations in Minnesota and Ohio.

In Minnesota, Apple Watch user Michael Brodkorb was hit by a car, which then fled the scene. His Apple Watch recognized the impact with fall detection and called 911 after it became unresponsive. “I’m just in shock,” he said. “I mean, just the sheer force of being hit by a vehicle.”

In addition to calling 911, the fall detection feature alerted his wife and children inside the house so he could get help right away. He ended up with rib and tailbone injuries. “It’s definitely a lifesaver,” Brodkorb said. Police have located the driver, a 17-year-old boy, but it is unclear whether charges will be laid against him.
While recovering, Broad Cobb sent an email to Apple CEO Tim Cook wishing him a speedy recovery.
In Cincinnati, 83-year-old William Fryer bent his knee while walking the Ohio River Trail. No one was around, but his Apple Watch recognized the fall, called emergency services, and notified his daughter.

Cincinnati police were able to locate him and paramedics transported him to the hospital. X-rays ultimately showed that he had a large blood clot that caused his fall, but the blood clot symptoms had been atypical as they had not been noticed. Fryer had the clot removed, and said that he was grateful his Apple Watch had been able to summon help.

Fall detection on Apple Watch can be enabled by opening the Apple Watch iPhone app, going to Emergency SOS and turning on the fall detection option. Fall detection is turned on by default for Apple Watch owners over the age of 55, but younger Apple Watch owners can also turn it on.