Man credits Apple Watch with saving his life after collapsing at home

Mohammad Islam, a resident of Cincinnati, recently avoided a medical catastrophe thanks to his Apple Watch. While taking out the trash at his home, Islam collapsed due to undiagnosed blood clots in his lungs. Alone and unable to move, he remained on the ground until paramedics arrived.

He later learned his watch detected the fall and automatically contacted emergency services without any manual input. Islam reported that the paramedics arrived on the scene within minutes of the alert. Doctors at the University of Cincinnati confirmed the medical cause of his collapse shortly after his admission to the hospital.

This incident highlights the utility of the Fall Detection feature available on Apple Watch Series 4 and newer models. While the function is active by default for users over 65, younger users often need to enable it through the Watch app on their iPhone. Once enabled, the device monitors for sudden drops and initiates an emergency call if the wearer fails to dismiss an on-screen alert within one minute.

In addition to calling emergency services, the watch can send a text message to pre-configured emergency contacts, complete with a map showing the location of the fall. This hardware capability provided the window of time necessary for Islam to receive life-saving medical intervention for his pulmonary condition.