Apple Watch Fall Detection Features Save Two Lives

[crsh1976]

Not let people die for one.

Back to my point: Apple crash detection generates false positives, which were reported periodically since the feature went live, has caused a stir with overstretched emergency services and first responders due to the additional strain this puts on them.

Yes Apple's crash detection can save lives and that's a good thing, but it's nowhere near ready for prime time due to its unreliable track record and the impact this causes.

I'm not advocating for this feature to be removed, just that Apple should have it off by default and put the brakes on broadcasting it until it performs as intended.

 

[I7guy]

Back to my point: Apple crash detection generates false positives, which were reported periodically since the feature went live, has caused a stir with overstretched emergency services and first responders due to the additional strain this puts on them.

Yes Apple's crash detection can save lives and that's a good thing, but it's nowhere near ready for prime time due to its unreliable track record and the impact this causes.

I'm not advocating for this feature to be removed, just that Apple should have it off by default and put the brakes on broadcasting it until it performs as intended.

It’s above my pay grade to make the determination if society should bear the cost of false positives. However, that decision has already been made. I’m pretty sure false positives were discussed prior to release of crash detection.

And I don’t believe this feature will be turned off “to tune it.”

 

[Kar98]

View attachment 2201192

Don't AirBags deserves more attention than Apple Watches?!
Or Defibrillators!

Probably, go check airbagrumors.com !

 

[Allyance]

Back to my point: Apple crash detection generates false positives, which were reported periodically since the feature went live, has caused a stir with overstretched emergency services and first responders due to the additional strain this puts on them.

Yes Apple's crash detection can save lives and that's a good thing, but it's nowhere near ready for prime time due to its unreliable track record and the impact this causes.

I'm not advocating for this feature to be removed, just that Apple should have it off by default and put the brakes on broadcasting it until it performs as intended.

Let us see some statistics about false positives before any changes are made. I bought my AW as soon as this feature became available. I ride a motorcycle through the back roads of the Bay Area of CA and I wanted the added protection in case I went down and couldn’t get to my iPhone in my pocket. The first time I set off was on a new wet sidewalk at McD’s when I stepped on it with worn Crocs. I went down so fast I landed flat on my back. I didn’t notice it triggered the alarm until I got inline, was able to cancel in time. Now I am conscience of anytime it could be triggered, which has happened several times, once when I fell again on slippery grassy slope, and once when I clapped hard at my cat. It takes some user awareness to prevent any false positives, but the ability call EMS when truly needed is a feature I will never give up, or turn off.

 

[burgman]

I did.

“Hey Siri call 9/11”

Assuming Siri is set to open on Lock Screen, please continue...

 

[burgman]

Back to my point: Apple crash detection generates false positives, which were reported periodically since the feature went live, has caused a stir with overstretched emergency services and first responders due to the additional strain this puts on them.

Yes Apple's crash detection can save lives and that's a good thing, but it's nowhere near ready for prime time due to its unreliable track record and the impact this causes.

I'm not advocating for this feature to be removed, just that Apple should have it off by default and put the brakes on broadcasting it until it performs as intended.

Earlier in winter there were a number of stories about false detection with winter sports. Apple sent teams to 911 operations per the stories, issued a couple of updates. I haven't seen many stories about it since. When my watch has a false detection, it gives me plenty of time to cancel it. I have enough experience with the watch to know what will likely trigger it. Using a hammer, whacking hand on doorknob etc. To me the detection and satellite communication is an absolute home run.

 

[polyphenol]

Maybe wanted to measure heart rate and blood ox during?

Seems that (under some codes) it would be banned in any actual bout.

1.21.1 The official in charge of the promotion shall ensure that the contestants are not wearing any form of jewelry. The wearing of any form of removable jewelry, including ear rings, piercings, rings or necklaces is strictly forbidden. The only exception to this is in the case of none removable jewelry, such as body piercings, in such cases the jewelry must be securely covered by Elastoplas or similar adhesive bandage.
https://boxbiba.com/?page_id=82

But I have no idea about wearing watches in training.

 

[arlomedia]

Maybe the crash detection feature should also log any nearby hardware IDs or something, so hit and run drivers like the one in the first story could be identified...

 

[Crowbot]

Maybe the crash detection feature should also log any nearby hardware IDs or something, so hit and run drivers like the one in the first story could be identified...

That could be a bit dicey for Apple as innocent IDs could also be snapped up. There could be liabilities for Apple.

 

[_Spinn_]

Glad to hear they were saved!

 

[rjp1]

It detected when I fell once. I managed to cancel it because I thought I was OK.

I wasn't OK, I was absolutely knackered. I couldn't get up. I'd smashed my shoulder and ended up laying at the side of the road waiting for someone to stop and help.

If you don't have fall detection enabled, please do so. It's really important.

This is how my shoulder is now (x-ray in spoiler tags).

Spoiler

If you ever fall and it goes off, properly evaluate yourself before cancelling it.

I hope you are doing better now!

I had it detect a fall once and also cancelled it calling any one. I ended up having fractures to my wrist and thumb. It happened so fast and I didn't want to be one of those people that have their watch call unnecessarily that I panicked and cancelled it. I didn't really have enough time to assess if I needed help or not.

 

[JohannesO]

One thing for sure, no Indian 911 will ever answer your call with “Servus”!

Now I have the word "Servus" in my head spoken in the voice of Rajesh Koothrappali 😁

 

[steve09090]

In a related story, the iPhone Crash Detection potentially saved the driver from killing someone else.

In South Australia today, a drink driver crashed and his iPhone alerted the police who chased and caught him!

iPhone alerts police to alleged drunk driver in SA

An automated emergency message sent from a phone after a crash in Port Augusta has led to the arrest of a teenager alleged to have been driving under the influence.

www.abc.net.au

 

[imola.zhp]

My better half had tachycardia last week while not feeling well in bed. His watch said his heart rate was too high for being inactive. We went to the ER. It was dehydration from not feeling well but if not for the Apple Watch saying THIS IS AN ISSUE we might have gone on to bed and who knows what might have happened. Stroke? Heart Failure? He used to sometimes shrug off wearing the device but I think this event has made him a believer.