Apple Watch Automatically Calls Emergency Services After Ohio Man Collapses at Home, Helps Save His Life
An Ohio man has credited his Apple Watch with helping save his life after it automatically detected a fall and called emergency services when he collapsed outside his home. Doctors later found blood clots in his lungs. Here's what happened and how Apple's Fall Detection feature automatically alerts emergency responders.
An Ohio man has credited his Apple Watch with helping save his life after it automatically detected a fall and contacted emergency services when he collapsed outside his home. Mohammad Islam said he had taken the day off work after feeling unwell and was alone when the incident occurred. Doctors later discovered blood clots in his lungs after he was taken to hospital.
Islam's experience highlights the Apple Watch's Fall Detection feature, which can automatically contact emergency responders if it detects that a wearer has suffered a hard fall and remains unresponsive. The incident was first reported by local news outlet WKRC. Apple Smart Glasses to Focus on Privacy, Launch Expected in 2027: Reports.
What Happened?
According to Islam, he had been experiencing shortness of breath, pain near his ear and difficulty walking before deciding to stay home from work. While taking out the rubbish, he collapsed outside his house. Living alone, he was unsure how long he remained unconscious.
"I don't know how long I was there, and suddenly, my eyes opened up, and I was on the ground and sweating like crazy. I tried to get up but couldn't. There was a chair, so I held it and was able to sit down. Then I heard the sirens coming in," Islam told WKRC. He later realised that his Apple Watch had automatically detected the fall and called emergency services. iPhone 18 Pro Max Launch in September; Which Major Upgrades Can You Expect?
Doctors Found Blood Clots
After paramedics arrived, Islam was taken to the University of Cincinnati, where doctors diagnosed him with blood clots in his lungs. Reflecting on the incident, he said: "I'm still trying to figure out what really happened, and why I'm alive," while crediting the rapid emergency response triggered by his Apple Watch.
How Apple Watch's Fall Detection Works
Apple's Fall Detection feature is available on Apple Watch SE and later, Apple Watch Series 4 and later, and Apple Watch Ultra models.
When the watch detects a hard fall, it taps the wearer's wrist, sounds an alarm and displays an alert asking whether the person is alright.
If the wearer continues moving, no emergency call is placed automatically. However, if the watch detects that the wearer has remained immobile for about one minute, it begins a 30-second countdown while repeatedly tapping the wrist and sounding a progressively louder alarm.
If there is still no response when the countdown ends, the watch automatically calls emergency services, shares the wearer's location and sends a message to their emergency contacts informing them that a fall has been detected.
The feature is enabled by default for users aged 55 and older, while people aged 18 to 54 can activate it manually through the Watch app on their iPhone under the Emergency SOS settings.
Technology That Can Assist During Emergencies
While Fall Detection is not a substitute for medical care, the feature is designed to provide emergency assistance when users are unable to call for help themselves.
Islam's case has drawn attention to how wearable technology can assist emergency responders by automatically sharing a user's location and requesting help during medical emergencies.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2026 01:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).