Eric Zollinger, a keen cyclist from New York and a successful real estate broker, narrowly escaped serious injury following a cycling accident. His Apple Watch played an invaluable role in his rescue, as it detected his heavy fall and immediately contacted 911 with his precise location. Paramedics swiftly arrived at the scene, averting a possibly detrimental outcome.
Zollinger’s accident occurred when he struck a concealed pothole on a flooded street, causing injuries to his face, nose, and knee. While vision blurred due to his facial injuries and the rising floodwater challenging his visibility, he remained hopeful. His smartwatch had already alerted the authorities, and he could hear sirens in the distance.
Although Zollinger managed to return home, he lost consciousness after a subsequent fall in the bathroom. An ambulance was called by his wife but was delayed due to heavy traffic.
Smartwatch’s pivotal role in cyclist’s rescue
His wife did all she could to keep him comfortable, but it was a distressing three days before he regained consciousness in the hospital.
Thanks to his smartwatch, an emergency call was automatically placed after he fell. A distress signal, including his exact location, was sent to his set emergency contacts. This automatic alert and the transmission of essential location data essentially saved his life that fateful day.
Upon waking in the hospital, it was confirmed that Zollinger had sustained no fractures or serious internal injuries, but he was slightly disoriented and bruised. He was advised to rest and undertake mental wellness checks to ensure he fully recovered from the incident.
This incident underscores the significant potential of wearable technology in emergencies. In similar incidents, life-saving alerts have been triggered by wearable tech devices in cases of immobility, such as heart attacks or strokes. This technology is especially beneficial for individuals living alone or those with chronic health conditions. Wearable technology continues to evolve and has proven to be a potent tool for safeguarding users’ health and wellbeing.
