Finally Set Off, "I've Fallen And Can't Get Up" Feature

[jazz1]

It has been miserable weather with snow and ice where I live. I've taken two spills on the ice this winter, and my Apple Watch Gen. 4 did not react.

This last week I was at the end of the driveway chopping ice with a long handled ice chopper. I actually thought maybe I should take the watch off as the ice chopping action was pretty brutal on my wrist. I wondered is such a localized wrist chopping action would set off the watch.

Yup after a minute or two, I got the frantic buzzing on my wrist, and saw the message that offered emergency assistance on my watch. Of course I declined as I had not fallen and was not in dire straights.

The watch also gave a follow-up textual message asking if I had indeed fallen. I responded no. I'm not sure if that was a good idea. I really didn't want the watch to re-calibrate for a harder hit before going into emergency mode.

All I can say is that it must take a pretty good hit to set off the emergency response on the watch. Maybe as I was still moving had to do with sensitivity and timing of the alert?

Anyone else have any experience with this? I'm just wondering how reliable this feature really is?

 

[Newtons Apple]

Mine has gone off multiple times! I have not fallen but have accidentally banged my arm or watch into something. I can pound my fist on the desk and set it off.

It is NOT fool proof as if you fall and your arm with the watch does not hit something pretty hard, it will not go off. It is far from fail safe!

First time mine did go off, I did not have my glasses and had to run to get them so I could see what to do to stop it from making the emergency calls!

 

[jazz1]

Mine has gone off multiple times! I have not fallen but have accidentally banged my arm or watch into something. I can pound my fist on the desk and set it off.

It is NOT fool proof as if you fall and your arm with the watch does not hit something pretty hard, it will not go off. It is far from fail safe!

First time mine did go off, I did not have my glasses and had to run to get them so I could see what to do to stop it from making the emergency calls!

Better than no tech. at all I guess. But maybe low tech. Yaktrax are a must when the "Ice Man Cometh"! Its been a particularly nasty winter here.

 

[vanhalen26]

I was running a couple weeks back and took a good spill on an ice patch - no alert triggered.

 

[jazz1]

I was running a couple weeks back and took a good spill on an ice patch - no alert triggered.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208944

I found this. I still wonder what some of the parameters are. I guess the worry is falling and passing out, so the user could not summon help.

 

[vanhalen26]

Thanks for the link, just checked and fall detection was set to off. I run nearly daily, so at some point unfortunately I’ll slip again, inevitable. That will test it though.

 

[jazz1]

Thanks for the link, just checked and fall detection was set to off. I run nearly daily, so at some point unfortunately I’ll slip again, inevitable. That will test it though.

Depending on your age volunteered in settings, Apple automatically turns the feature on.

https://9to5mac.com/2019/03/11/apple-watch-fall-detection-experience/

 

[neutrino23]

I’ve set it off five or six times. Usually while watching football. When something exciting happens I clap my hands over my head in a certain way.

 

[iPhysicist]

I’ve set it off five or six times. Usually while watching football. When something exciting happens I clap my hands over my head in a certain way.

Must be annoying sitting beside you at these times ;-)

 

[Newtons Apple]

Better than no tech. at all I guess. But maybe low tech. Yaktrax are a must when the "Ice Man Cometh"! Its been a particularly nasty winter here.

I agree 100% that it is better than nothing. Just not fool proof.