Apple Watch Fall Detection Saves Mountain Biker Knocked Unconscious [Video]

Apple has released a new video sharing the true story of a mountain biker whose Apple Watch detected a severe fall and automatically called for help while he lay unconscious on a remote trail.



In the video, titled "Phil's True Apple Watch SOS Story" and published on Apple's YouTube channel, Phil explains how he was riding with his six- and eight-year-old sons when he misjudged a jump and crashed hard. He was knocked unconscious, breaking his collarbone and seven ribs.


His Apple Watch detected the fall after he remained motionless, automatically calling emergency services, sharing his location with first responders, and notifying his wife. "Those guys showed up and I was hospitalized for a week," Phil recalls. "Just really glad that I had my Apple Watch on."

Fall Detection is available on Apple Watch Series 4 and later, including all Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Ultra models. If you're 55 or older and have entered your age in the Health app, the feature is enabled automatically. Anyone else can turn it on manually. When the watch detects a hard fall and the wearer remains motionless for about a minute, it automatically calls emergency services and sends the wearer's location to emergency contacts. You can find more details on Apple's Fall Detection support page.