Apple Watch Emergency Dial Feature Saves Trail Runner: What About Fall Detection Automatic Alert Function?

A trail runner from Norway has credited his Apple Watch for saving his life after a nasty and life-threatening fall in the mountains. Investment director Robert Naess has attributed his quick visit to the hospital to the smart watch's emergency dial feature.

The Apple Watch alerted emergency medical professionals and summoned an ambulance after Robert Naess fell during a routine run in Norway. Here's how the smartwatch's healthy and safety features came in handy.

Emergency Dial, Not Fall Detection, Helped Save Runner's Life?

Robert Naess, a 59-year-old investment director from Norway, was on a routine run on a very familiar route. He was jogging in Bergen, Norway at around 7 AM local time when he experienced a nasty fall.

Despite being an experienced runner, Naess slipped on a bend. Usually, such a fall isn't life-threatening. However, the skid caused Naess to fall chest-first into the edge of a wall, before landing on the floor.

The accident resulted in multiple fractured ribs and a collapsed lung. Struggling with intense pain and experiencing breathing difficulties, the otherwise fit runner couldn't access his iPhone to call for help.

Due to severe pain and breathing problems, Naess could not pull out his iPhone to call an ambulance. However, he was wearing an Apple Watch and AirPods. Naess successfully contacted emergency services using the smartwatch and wireless earbuds.

Why Did The Distressed And Injured Runner Not Rely On the "Fall Detection" Feature in Apple Watch?

The Apple Watch is a popular choice for individuals, especially athletes and those who are interested in outdoor physical activities. Apple Watch is one of the best smart wearable devices with vital signs monitoring capabilities.

Synced with an Apple iPhone, the Apple Watch has a "Fall Detection" feature, which attempts to grab the attention of the wearer through taps, sounds, and on-screen messages. If the wearer fails to respond or dismiss these messages, the Apple Watch can contact emergency services.

Robert Naess didn't wait for the Fall Detection feature to summon the emergency services primarily because the Apple Watch initiates a countdown. As Naess was well aware of his situation and knew he needed medical care immediately, he chose to skip the countdown. Hence, rather than waiting for Fall Detection to kick in, he placed the call to the emergency services himself.