A smartwatch no longer only provides many users with notifications without unlocking the smartphone. Many watches also offer fitness functions and record health data – for example, blood pressure can be monitored using a smartwatch. This is not only useful for an overview in everyday life – a senior citizen from Hamburg now apparently owes his life to this recording.
Alarm via app: Smartwatch records disturbing things
As the Hamburg police reported in a post on Facebook, sharing the health data may have saved the life of a 73-year-old. Accordingly, the senior’s son had reported to the officials because he could not reach his father. From Frankfurt, however, it was impossible for him to check on things in Hamburg himself. A big advantage: the son had access to the data on his father’s smartwatch. It was there that he realized the vitals weren’t looking good.
Together with the fire brigade, officers from the responsible police station then made their way to the man’s apartment. This assignment came at exactly the right time: the senior was severely weakened in his four walls, but was still responsive. When questioned, he complained of paralysis on the right side of his body. The paramedics took him straight to the clinic – suspected of having a stroke. Can’t imagine what would have happened to the elderly gentleman without the smartwatch and sharing the data with his son…
Apple Watch: How do I share my data?
Apple introduced a family feature for its Apple Watch in September 2020. First and foremost, the manufacturer wants to use it to connect parents and children – so the youngest don’t need their own iPhone. Aside from the many options for legal guardians, seniors also benefit from this: They can use the family function to share the health data of their Apple Watch with their children or other important people. Exactly this offer probably saved the life of the senior from Hamburg.