Apple Watch saves skier and his buddies after 1,000-foot fall

The Apple Watch has saved many lives in recent years, so much so, that Apple now begins its segment on the new Apple Watch launch by bringing some of these stories to its stream. From car crashes to cardiac arrests, timely alerts from an Apple Watch have been helping people during crisis, and the latest story is just another chapter in the series.

The latest of these stories offers a more interesting look into the use of an Apple Watch as a preventative measure against disasters, and how wearing one can help not just you, but also those around you in a time of need.

In a tragic incident at Steven’s Pass, a popular skiing area in Washington State, USA, three skiers suffered injuries after falling down about 1,000-feet into cold, hard snow. Thankfully, the tragedy was cut short when the Apple Watch worn by one of the two skiers immediately detected the sudden hard stop as an accident and called for the emergency services.

ALSO READ: 5 times the Apple Watch helped save a life

A rescue operation followed quickly after, and King County Air Support managed to pull the skiers out of just as the sun went down – all thanks to a timely SOS alert.

You can also watch the rescue in the video below.

The Apple Watch saved the skier’s buddies too

The rescue team later mentioned that the SOS alert sent out from the Apple Watch was key in helping out the skiers. What’s interesting, is that the alert issued to the emergency services was only for one skier, and it was only after they reached the location that the rescuers realised there were two more skiers, including one whose leg was injured enough to render him unable to walk.

This showcased how even one Apple Watch amidst a group of adventurer sports enthusiasts can sometimes be helpful. This could have also been a group of people in the same car during a crash, or a group of trekkers lost in a forest.

The incident is a reminder of the multiple roles that consumer tech plays in our lives today, one of which is safety. Thanks to several measures to monitor both vitals and mishaps, smartwatches and smartphones today are not just great for media and communication, but also for taking care of your health as and when required.