Fall and SOS feature Apple watch 4

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gnfb

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#240986 5-Oct-2018 13:35

So around my neck is one of those press buttons that connect to a Box that connects to a private alarm company. I know that if i press it within 30 seconds or so a live person will speak to me and ask what I need ambulance , security. I know this as when the unit was installed it was actually tested and we went through the whole process up to them actually contacting emergency services .

So enter my paranoia. It would be great if there was some ability to test the SOS and fall system of the Apple 4. I would like to know what actually happens when one falls and what information is sent to whom etc Also I would like to know if I have it all set up correctly or is it going to give my location as Auckland rather the my address in Wanganui.

Any ideas how one can achieve this?

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gehenna

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#2102164 5-Oct-2018 13:36

Does it even work here in NZ?

SpartanVXL

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#2102177 5-Oct-2018 13:48

gehenna:
Does it even work here in NZ?

Not yet I believe. Needs approval and then some 4G shenanigans to get working. I forget exactly what though....

Edit: I remember the keynote or somewhere saying there are set conditions before it raises defcon 1. Certain thresholds to acceleration, direction and subsequent movement as well as body measurements (recall it has a built-in ECG).

gehenna

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#2102179 5-Oct-2018 13:50

Yeah thought so. Can't see it being a feature enabled in NZ for another couple years, if at all.

Paparangi

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#2102250 5-Oct-2018 16:46

The Fall Detection and SOS is supported in NZ. If it detects a fall it will first tap you, then sound an alarm. You get the option to call emergency services, and if you don't respond for 'about a minute' it calls for you anyway. If you are under 65 you have to enable it in the settings.

Overseas where the LTE watch is available it will use that to call emergency services, but here in NZ it calls using your iPhone to place the call - same as if you made a call from the watch with Siri etc. Obviously needs to be in range of the iPhone to call, which is it's only limitation in NZ.

A quick Google shows the support article with all this information: https://support.apple.com/en-nz/HT208944

OP - it looks like they suggest it may not catch all falls, nor will it work out of range of your iPhone, therefore I'd think a dedicated device like you already have may be the better option, but feel free to have a look at the link above.

gnfb

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#2102264 5-Oct-2018 17:23

Paparangi:

You get the option to call emergency services, and if you don't respond for 'about a minute' it calls for you anyway.

You see I thought that a "special" thingy was required to make the connection between the phone making a 111 call and the emergancey services.

When it makes the call for you does it send your gps location or any other data?

I actually managed to speak to somone in apple here in NZ ! But no real help

Hey people thanks for all the interest and help appreciate it

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chevrolux

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#2102271 5-Oct-2018 17:47

Buy the watch, fall on to your bed, see what happens haha.

But in all seriousness, we call 111 semi-regurlary when doing VoIP installs in more critical sites. "Hi, this is not an emergency. "I am a technician testing a communications network. Thank you for your time *hangup*"
Never had a problem with being charged etc.

gnfb

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#2102272 5-Oct-2018 17:51

chevrolux: Buy the watch, fall on to your bed, see what happens haha.

But in all seriousness, we call 111 semi-regurlary when doing VoIP installs in more critical sites. "Hi, this is not an emergency. "I am a technician testing a communications network. Thank you for your time *hangup*"
Never had a problem with being charged etc.

LOL i was thinking that but I also thought that what it was doing and if it was doing it may not come up on the screen ........ I just had a thought I wonder if someone has done a youtube video about it.....

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Brumfondl

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#2102281 5-Oct-2018 18:49

There are definitely videos on youtube though not from New Zealand...

doug3

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#2103533 8-Oct-2018 19:51

This alert has gone off 4 times so far, the problem is I never even came close to falling down. 3 times it happened when hitting a bump while riding a bicycle (road bike with no suspension) and 1 time while clipping a shrub using hand hedge clippers. To dismiss alert, 3 times selected option “I fell, but I’m OK” these are recorded in the Health app, once selected “I didn’t fall” which is not recorded.

Not much use when it is so easy to get false alerts.

MadEngineer

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#2103539 8-Oct-2018 19:57

Also worth testing your existing button that the system makes the call and that you can hold a conversation with whoever answers. Just say you’ve repositioned your phone cables and need to make sure everything is ok.

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RunningMan

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#2103545 8-Oct-2018 20:05

doug3: [snip] To dismiss alert, 3 times selected option “I fell, but I’m OK” these are recorded in the Health app, once selected “I didn’t fall” which is not recorded.

Not much use when it is so easy to get false alerts.

It is probably learning what is normal activity for the wearer in order to determine what is abnormal (fall). If you tell it you fell when you didn't it will keep over-reacting.

gnfb

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#2103891 9-Oct-2018 12:50

RunningMan:

doug3: [snip] To dismiss alert, 3 times selected option “I fell, but I’m OK” these are recorded in the Health app, once selected “I didn’t fall” which is not recorded.

Not much use when it is so easy to get false alerts.

It is probably learning what is normal activity for the wearer in order to determine what is abnormal (fall). If you tell it you fell when you didn't it will keep over-reacting.

Worth knowing.....

Is an English Man living in New Zealand. Not a writer, an Observer he says. Graham is a seasoned 'traveler" with his sometimes arrogant, but honest opinion on life. He loves the Internet!.

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mattwnz

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#2103923 9-Oct-2018 14:15

gnfb:

So around my neck is one of those press buttons that connect to a Box that connects to a private alarm company.

The big problem with these is people don't wear them, or take them off at night, or if they do fall, they may not be able to reach to press the button. My grandma had one, and she fell, and ended up being on the floor for probably the night and died on the floor. This watch may have saved her life. I am wondering though whether it disables airplane mode if a fall does occur to allow a call to occur?. As someone may turn off wireless at night. This sort of thing would be great for anyone living alone.

gnfb

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#2105481 10-Oct-2018 11:55

mattwnz:

gnfb:

So around my neck is one of those press buttons that connect to a Box that connects to a private alarm company.

The big problem with these is people don't wear them, or take them off at night, or if they do fall, they may not be able to reach to press the button. My grandma had one, and she fell, and ended up being on the floor for probably the night and died on the floor. This watch may have saved her life. I am wondering though whether it disables airplane mode if a fall does occur to allow a call to occur?. As someone may turn off wireless at night. This sort of thing would be great for anyone living alone.

I hear what you say, I had a heart attack a while back and I didn't have the monitor . I am not really sure if I would have the ability and awareness to even press a button. Fortunately my daughter was there and saved my life.

I personally think for a device that potentially has huge possibilities a lot more information needs to be made available by apple. I dont know if anyone on here works at apple NZ and has the placement to provide information. I tried there help desk and although I finally broke through to actually speak to someone who claimed the were in NZ they really wernt able to offer much more than what is on the website.

Is an English Man living in New Zealand. Not a writer, an Observer he says. Graham is a seasoned 'traveler" with his sometimes arrogant, but honest opinion on life. He loves the Internet!.

I have two shops online allshop.nz patchpinflag.nz
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