Ontario man saved by Apple Watch fall detection

Fall detection on Apple Watch

Apple Watch has multiple built-in features that aim to save users from fatal or near-fatal situations, such as falls. Alexander Laserson reached out to AppleInsider to share his story of how Apple Watch saved his life.

On Friday, Laserson fell from a ladder and struck his head. His Apple Watch Series 8 dialed emergency services and his wife after fall detection kicked in.

The fall had rendered him unable to respond to a fall detection alert, which calls emergency services and alerts emergency contacts after about a minute. His wife discovered him shortly after and was able to talk to emergency responders via the Apple Watch.

He was rushed to the emergency room in an ambulance and given seven stitches. Alexander Laserson thanks Apple for the technology that provided such a swift response to his fall.

"Without the Apple Watch, it is possible I would be dead by now," Laserson said. "The technology works."

Fall detection is a feature found in Apple Watch Series 4 and later. It is turned on automatically for users over 55, but can also be enabled manually in settings.

How to enable fall detection on Apple Watch

Fall detection can be turned on either from the iPhone or Apple Watch.

How to turn on fall detection on iPhone

1. On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app
2. Tap on My Watch
3. Scroll down to Emergency SOS and tap it
4. Tap to turn on Fall Detection

How to turn on fall detection on Apple Watch

1. On your Apple Watch, open Settings
2. Scroll down to SOS and tap it
3. Tap to turn on Fall Detection