In a remarkable incident, an Apple Watch Ultra proved to be a lifesaver when it dialed emergency services after detecting a fall, rescuing a Las Vegas man with type 1 diabetes who had fallen unconscious due to low blood sugar.
As the world prepares to observe World Diabetes Day on November 14, this incident showcases the potential of the Apple Watch to assist in critical situations, even though it currently doesn’t directly measure blood sugar levels. This story serves as another example, following previous accounts where Apple Watch’s AFib notifications led to a diabetes diagnosis.
According to a report shared by 9to5Mac, 40-year-old Josh Furman, a Las Vegas resident with type 1 diabetes, experienced a sudden drop in blood sugar levels, causing him to lose consciousness. However, thanks to the Fall Detection feature on his Apple Watch Ultra, the device automatically dialed 911, alerting emergency services.
Furman’s Apple Watch Ultra, in conjunction with his Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitoring system, had been monitoring his blood sugar levels. In this instance, his levels became dangerously low, and he fell to the floor, which triggered the Fall Detection mechanism.
Not only did the Apple Watch Ultra contact emergency services, but it also sent messages to Furman’s designated emergency contacts. His mother received the alert and was able to convey crucial medical information to the responding paramedics.
Recalling the incident, Furman expressed gratitude for his Apple Watch, saying, “I don’t know how long I was out for, but when I woke up, the Apple Watch had basically called 911, the paramedics… they knew where I was.”
Furman’s fortunate rescue can be credited to his proactive approach in enabling the Fall Detection feature on his Apple Watch, as it is not enabled by default for users under 55. Typically, Fall Detection is activated only during workouts, but Furman had chosen to keep it enabled all the time.
Reflecting on the experience, he emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the Apple Watch’s capabilities, particularly the Fall Detection feature. He noted that many people, especially the elderly, may be unaware of this potentially life-saving function. Furman highlighted the fact that users have to manually enable Fall Detection on their iPhones through the Apple Watch app.
The Fall Detection feature is accessible on Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 4 and later, and Apple Watch Ultra models. Those interested in enabling or verifying the feature can do so by accessing the Apple Watch app, navigating to “Emergency SOS,” selecting the toggle for Fall Detection, and choosing “Always On” if desired.
This incident serves as a powerful reminder of how technology can play a crucial role in safeguarding lives, and it underscores the need to explore and maximize the potential of innovative devices like the Apple Watch in emergency situations.
