Fall detection question

[vandrv]

I'm thinking of replacing my series 3 watch with a series 4, mainly for the fall detection feature. My current watch is the cellular version, which I have never activated. I'm wondering which version of the 4 to get. If I get the non cellular version and suffer a fall, I assume that if my phone is in range it will dial 911. What I'm wondering is , if I buy the cellular model and don't activate it would it be able to dial 911 if my phone is out of range. I know that cell phones are supposed to be able to call 911 even if they are not connected to a carrier. thanks for any info.

 

[gwhizkids]

I'm thinking of replacing my series 3 watch with a series 4, mainly for the fall detection feature. My current watch is the cellular version, which I have never activated. I'm wondering which version of the 4 to get. If I get the non cellular version and suffer a fall, I assume that if my phone is in range it will dial 911. What I'm wondering is , if I buy the cellular model and don't activate it would it be able to dial 911 if my phone is out of range. I know that cell phones are supposed to be able to call 911 even if they are not connected to a carrier. thanks for any info.

My understanding is that the FCC requires any cellular enabled device to be able to contact 911. Not sure if this is true outside the US, though.

 

[vandrv]

My understanding is that the FCC requires any cellular enabled device to be able to contact 911. Not sure if this is true outside the US, though.

I'm in the US asnd this is my understanding as well. I just don't know if watches fall under the same consideration and if Apple has their software set up so that the watch would automatically dial 911 if your phone is out of range.

 

[Ntombi]

Yes. The watch would be able to call 911 without a connection to your phone.

 

[Julien]

...but would it if you don't have cell service? The FCC requires it to be able to manually dial 911 and call but doesn't mandate it calling automatically without the user's input.

 

[vandrv]

...but would it if you don't have cell service? The FCC requires it to be able to manually dial 911 and call but doesn't mandate it calling automatically without the user's input.

I guess that is the question I'm really trying to find the answer to. I have no real desire to activate the cellular feature of the watch, but would go ahead and purchase the cellular version if i knew it would call regardless. Otherwise I would just save my money and get the GPS version. In any case, I hope never actually need it anyway.