An Apple watch may help save a life in the event of an accident

Apple has been grabbing a lot of attention with its latest model of the current Apple Watch Series. Thanks to a new electric heart sensor mounted into the backside, the most recent Apple Watch Series 4 can detect a low heartbeat rate and also perform as an electrocardiogram (ECG). The current Apple Watch, the Series 4 comes with sensors that are capable of automatically detecting if the individual wearing the Watch has slipped and fell. The slip and fall technology is highly recommended for people prone to falling, especially the elderly.

Slipping & Falling Prevention

With such risks in mind, one should start putting together a strategy to counter falls. Apple’s Series 4 Watch has come up with a plan to assist one to get help in the event of a slip and fall. The Watch comes with a fall detection feature that determines if you have slipped and fallen. The Watch can opt to call for help thanks to a new gyroscope and accelerometer. When you have the Series 4 Watch with the feature activated, a pop up will appear on the screen ask whether you are okay after detecting the slip and fall. If you do not respond, it will initiate an alarm and call emergency services automatically. The Series 4 Watch is smart technology and can tell the difference between a slip and fall injury and when you have not experienced one. With this smart technology, you’ll be able to automatically reach emergency services and contact your family in case you are immobile for more than a minute. It is an extremely vital feature for the elderly. The slip and fall technology uses the gyroscope sensors plus improvised motion detection algorithms in the Watch to send a signal to an emergency contact or to call for emergency services. For users who are 65 years or older, it is on by default. On the other hand, you can manually enable the slip and fall detection by following the instructions below.

• Open your iPhone and launch the Watch app.
• Tap “My Watch” option on the bottom left.
• Select “Emergency SOS.”
• Switch the “Fall Detection” option to on.
• Now tap “Confirm” option when it prompts you that being active can trigger an alarm unintentionally.

When the fall identification is enabled, and the Series 4 Watch identifies a “critical hard fall” and taps you lightly on the wrist, then produces an alarm. From the options shown on the Watch display, you can choose from three options when the fall has occured, “I fell, but I’m OK” or “I did not fall” or “Emergency SOS”.

Why is slip and fall prevention vital?

A study shows that slips and falls are the main cause of trauma, unintentional injuries, and deaths among older adults. Falls can have a serious impact on quality of life and independence. The data and statistics below highlight the seriousness of the fall issue.

1. In older adults, aged 65 and above, slip and falls are the main roots of injury-linked death according to CDC.
2. In rehabilitation and acute hospitals falls lead to injuries in 30-51% of patients.
3. Slip and falls are connected to an increased length-of-stay, raised use of healthcare resources, and inferior health outcomes.
4. Minor fractures and injuries can cause significant pain, functional impairment, and distress limiting older person’s activity and independence.

Number Of Fall Factors

A number of factors can cause falls among seniors or elders. A medical condition is an obvious potential factor. It can be their mental state, new prescription medication, over the counter drugs that cause drowsiness as a side effect may be to blame if someone in your care falls. Moreover, older adults can suffer from one or more chronic illnesses or conditions. They can add to the risk of falling.

• Physical Limitations

Physical limitations like the loss of a limb in an accident, vision problems. Nonetheless, with good fall prevention strategies, these physical limitations can be eliminated as a falling risk.

• Environmental factors

Your surrounding environment can create slip and fall hazards. Everything from loose gravel on the driveway to snow on the sidewalk. Your home can have a number of factors as well to cause you to slip and fall. Common injury victims report slippery floors near the sink or bathroom, stairs, or high out of reach kitchen accessories.

• Lighting

Many slip and fall accidents among the elderly are due to vision limitations. Nonetheless, many of these risks can be minimized through adequate lighting. Even with good vision, poor lighting can put you at a falling risk. Too much light coming into the window can also cause temporary blindness causing you to trip over obstacles in your personal domicile.

• Attire and Shoes

Extremely loose clothing can easily get caught on doors, windows or furniture resulting in a fall. Worn down shoes or dress shoes that have no traction and can put you at risk of falling. If the Watch discovers that you are moving, it will stand by for a response. On the other hand, if you are immobile for 60 seconds, the Watch starts a 15 second launch procedure to initiate an emergency call automatically and warning emergency contacts registered in the Medical ID of the iPhone’s Health app. Slip and fall accidents among the elderly are a serious matter and this smart technology can revolutionize the current slip and fall technology available. An awful fall can have a significant impact on one’s health and life. Nonetheless, by undertaking a little planning to avoid slip and fall accidents, risks can be lowered or eliminated. The good news is that the Series 4 Watch with its current slip and fall technology people, especially the elderly, can quickly get help and the medical attention they need at the click of a button. At Philly Injury Lawyer, all consultations are free. If you’ve experienced or suffered an injury due to a fall, trip, or slip, please do not hesitate to call our Philadelphia office at 215-735-4800. We can help you today and start your road to recovery.