Apple Watch fall notification - more helpful than one might realize!

[Snazzylass]

Sure, I've had my watch for awhile with my emergency contacts setup. Normally when the notification goes off, like a few weeks ago when I fell off a ladder, I tap my wrist and end of story.

However, this past Thursday, I rode my bike to have lunch with my sorority sisters. It wasn't far and mostly on a bike path. On the way home, I was on a city street, in the bike lane, headed back to the trail when I was hit by an 8000# Amazon Delivery truck, or so I was told. I have no recollection. I was suffering from severe amnesia the day of the accident and still do not remember much.

Luckily, my Apple Watch notified both my adult sons. The one who lives near me was apparently talking to me on my watch while I was still on the ground. He arrived at the scene of the accident, obtained the Police Report and followed the ambulance to the hospital. This was about 2pm. He stayed with me until Midnight and returned the next morning.

I really hate to think what would have happened if my watch had not contacted him. I had my driver's license on me but not much else. I was incapable of answering any questions. Instead, I spent the entire evening in the hospital repeatedly asking the same questions over and over again. The ER nurse finally wrote out a bunch of post-it notes with all the answers: where I was, what day it was, why I was there, and that my bike was okay. I am still recovering.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Oh my goodness! I am so sorry, and I am glad your sons were notified and one was able to help in person.

You know I will be praying for you.

 

[klpca]

I am so glad that you are here, able to tell us all about it. I hope that you have a quick recovery.

 

[Patri]

I pray your recovery continues. That is awful. Glad you are still among us.

 

[Passepartout]

That's a REALLY good testimonial. I have been putting off getting a smartwatch. Like, 'Heck I have my phone with me, and really don't need a watch because I seldom make more than one appointment a day' What could possibly go wrong?

Still don't know that this will tip me over to get one, but who knows.

Jim

 

[KarenLK]

My brother fell at work back in April. He was alone, in the middle of the night. The watch called the police and paramedics.

 

[sue1947]

The one who lives near me was apparently talking to me on my watch while I was still on the ground. He arrived at the scene of the accident, obtained the Police Report and followed the ambulance to the hospital. This was about 2pm. He stayed with me until Midnight and returned the next morning.

While you recover, pat yourself on the back for the excellent job you did in raising your sons.

 

[Bucky]

I’m a heart patient that still plays golf. If anything happens while out there I want to make sure someone knows. I purchased mine when it first came out and have upgraded over the years. so as to not be rude to others I keep my phone in my bag while on the course. If something does happen there is a high probability the phone won’t help but the fall notice will. My wife and I both feel safer with it. Small price for peace of mind.

 

[Sandi Bo]

They are amazing! I love mine. Haven't fallen (yet) - but mine did notify me when I left my phone on a plane - I got notification as I was walking through security that it looked like I left it behind! Also, I didn't think I needed it -- but I sure do use the find my phone option a lot (way too much).

Most importantly, wow, glad you are (going to be) okay! All the best to you as you recover!! Scary, for sure!

 

[Brett]

yes, a good testimonial for the 'fall detection' feature in smart watches. I will look at my Samsung Galaxy watch fall detection. I mostly use it now for mileage on walks and notifications for messages, calls and calendar reminders.

 

[Skyyblueplaya]

I'm very sorry this happened to you, A similar story, while not as scary, something happened like this to me.

I was working on my car, trying to fix a broken passenger side mirror and I was frustrated and hurried off to my nearest Autozone for help.

I left my phone on top of my car, while driving the phone fell off the car and registered as a crash.

I have a friend we had been not talking, nothing personal but just not speaking. She was my emergency contact, she immediately reached out to someone she knew I hung out with, freaking out that I was in a car accident and not answering my phone. My brother lives across town, we dont speak every day but same thing, he's in his car going 90 MPH across town because he thinks the same thing Both are fearing the worst....

....No im just absentminded and I left my phone on top of my car.... whoops but nice to see that
1. The feature works as it should, and
2. I'm loved and very much cared about by my emergency contacts.

Im sorry to change the subject but I also would just to second the motion that the fall detection CAN indeed save your life!!

Edit: The feature also very much helped my find my lost and now shattered phone....

 

[TheHolleys87]

@Snazzylass I'm glad you’re okay! And that the watch worked. On several occasions I’ve slammed my arm hard enough to trigger mine, but fortunately I didn’t need help and was able to cancel the alert.

 

[Snazzylass]

They are amazing! I love mine. Haven't fallen (yet) - but mine did notify me when I left my phone on a plane - I got notification as I was walking through security that it looked like I left it behind! Also, I didn't think I needed it -- but I sure do use the find my phone option a lot (way too much).

Most importantly, wow, glad you are (going to be) okay! All the best to you as you recover!! Scary, for sure!

"did notify me when I left my phone "

I love that feature, too!!

 

[Snazzylass]

That's a REALLY good testimonial. I have been putting off getting a smartwatch. Like, 'Heck I have my phone with me, and really don't need a watch because I seldom make more than one appointment a day' What could possibly go wrong?

Still don't know that this will tip me over to get one, but who knows.

Jim

But, as I recall, you do not live alone as I do. We immediately reached out to my Mom and sister to confirm her watch has this feature. It does. She heads to FL in the winter solo. We want to be notified immediately if something happens.

Apple announced several years back that it was shifting its emphasis to health features. I was skeptical but boy, I do love my watch! I track my sleep and you cannot believe how darn handy it is for so many uses! Plus, it's all about "closing your rings" each day - tracking your activity. I used to have a computer on my bike but now my watch does that. It also acts as my heart monitor when I'm on my Peloton. So, there's 2 other tech devices I've eliminated over the years thanks to Apple's constant upgrades.

I'm on 3 meds as a result of the accident. So, Son2 has my alarms set for that. Having your phone seems handy, but it's not as handy as tapping your wrist or pinching your fingers together.

Today, my phone was downstairs when my mom called me. Instead of searching for it or missing her call, I answered my watch and talked to her "Dick Tracy" style.

 

[Passepartout]

But, as I recall, you do not live alone as I do. We immediately reached out to my Mom and sister to confirm her watch has this feature. It does. She heads to FL in the winter solo. We want to be notified immediately if something happens.

Apple announced several years back that it was shifting its emphasis to health features. I was skeptical but boy, I do love my watch! I track my sleep and you cannot believe how darn handy it is for so many uses! Plus, it's all about "closing your rings" each day - tracking your activity. I used to have a computer on my bike but now my watch does that. It also acts as my heart monitor when I'm on my Peloton. So, there's 2 other tech devices I've eliminated over the years thanks to Apple's constant upgrades.

I'm on 3 meds as a result of the accident. So, Son2 has my alarms set for that. Having your phone seems handy, but it's not as handy as tapping your wrist or pinching your fingers together.

Today, my phone was downstairs when my mom called me. Instead of searching for it or missing her call, I answered my watch and talked to her "Dick Tracy" style.

Thanks. That's all good to know. It's hard when one has always been a self-reliant soul to learn to rely on devices. Who knows. It might happen.

 

[Skyyblueplaya]

"did notify me when I left my phone "

I love that feature, too!!

I need to update my life, I dont own an Apple Watch anymore, but this is something i've ALWAYS wanted my watch to do! Alert me when my phone and watch are a certain amount of distance away. So many times ive left my phone at home or something and I would've just been sooooo happy if I would've known I left my phone!

 

[TheHolleys87]

I need to update my life, I dont own an Apple Watch anymore, but this is something i've ALWAYS wanted my watch to do! Alert me when my phone and watch are a certain amount of distance away. So many times ive left my phone at home or something and I would've just been sooooo happy if I would've known I left my phone!

It’s all under the Find My app in the Apple universe. For instance, DH’s iPhone notified him that his iPad was left behind at the timeshare condo when we went out for dinner the first night. He had to fix the settings to let Find My know that was okay, so it wouldn’t keep telling him that.

 

[Skyyblueplaya]

I have an iPhone 14, the normal one, no Mini or Pro, i probably have these settings too? I dont have any other Apple products to alert me though

I "have" an apple watch .... I mean its a Series 2 Nike watch from like 2018 that has been overcharged and the battery lasts maybe 4 hours at best.

 

[TheHolleys87]

I have an iPhone 14, the normal one, no Mini or Pro, i probably have these settings too? I dont have any other Apple products to alert me though

I "have" an apple watch .... I mean its a Series 2 Nike watch from like 2018 that has been overcharged and the battery lasts maybe 4 hours at best.

It only works with Apple products - iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple Air Tags. Sorry.

 

[Brett]

I need to update my life, I dont own an Apple Watch anymore, but this is something i've ALWAYS wanted my watch to do! Alert me when my phone and watch are a certain amount of distance away. So many times ive left my phone at home or something and I would've just been sooooo happy if I would've known I left my phone!

Samsung Galaxy Android cell phones have the same feature.
Probably all smart watches have the "Phone Separation Alert" because they work with the bluetooth connection to the cell phone - ≈ 30 feet

 

[Skyyblueplaya]

It only works with Apple products - iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple Air Tags. Sorry.

That is an Apple Product, they used to make Watches with Nike stuff built in, some special NIKE backgrounds and whatnot.

 

[mentalbreak]

Just checking in to say thinking of you and hoping your recovery is going in the right direction.

 

[Sandi Bo]

I need to update my life, I dont own an Apple Watch anymore, but this is something i've ALWAYS wanted my watch to do! Alert me when my phone and watch are a certain amount of distance away. So many times ive left my phone at home or something and I would've just been sooooo happy if I would've known I left my phone!

You do have to remember to wear your watch (so it can tell you you left your phone)!

I transport a grandkid at noon from one preschool to another. Sometimes I have to then notify a parent where to be for pickup. Dang I left my phone the other day - I had to go home and get it. Sometimes I can live without it, but not always!!! Grrrr.

 

[noreenkate]

@Snazzylass hope you’re feeling well - do you mind a quick question?
was your Apple Watch the standard version or the cellular?

 

[Snazzylass]

@Snazzylass hope you’re feeling well - do you mind a quick question?
was your Apple Watch the standard version or the cellular?

Good question!! Standard Version.

I never pay for the cellular version..not my watch, not my iPad. (I don't feel I need to get that fancy and I'm not that high on the food chain, if you know what I mean.)

However, my son was able to talk to me through my watch. I've often used my watch or iPad to answer a call (I think I might be able to do that on my iMac, too). As long as my phone is nearby, I can answer a call on my other devices. Hope that makes sense

I'm doing better, but it's been 2 weeks and I am still not driving. Still mostly resting. Not sure if I reported it earlier but the Amazon driver told the police I hit her. So, I've never been contacted by Amazon. This is the first time I've been in an accident and the responsible party has not stepped up and taken responsibility. So, I have no choice except to hire an attorney. *sigh*