Apple watch helps 911 operator rescue victim

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)– Good intentions can lead to mixed results.

Smart watches are making headlines due to both false emergency calls, and life-saving results.

In recent years, Apple has included technology on iPhones and Apple watches that can detect when a user falls or is involved in an auto crash.

It’s meant to call 911 when the owner of the device crashes and can’t call themselves.

Just last month, the Hamilton County 911 Emergency Communications District received a call from an Apple Watch indicating its owner had been involved in a car crash.

“Automatic alerts from smart phones and smart devices for some time now, a lot of them are false calls, just from everyday bumps and falls and things like that. But occasionally, they are real. And in those times, they save seconds which can save a life,” Executive Director Jeff Carney said.

Telecommunicator Advanced Tracy Boyd answered a 911 call that was initiated through an Apple Watch.

The watch shared that the individual was in a severe car crash and was not responding.

“The real-life case was a good reminder to us that this is actually very helpful technology. And I hope the public sees that it can be helpful as well. There are ways to disable that on your phone, think about that before you do it because it’s there for a reason… and it can help you when you need it the most,” Carney said.

Because of the smart technology, 911 was able to act fast.

Boyd was able to alert dispatch and recover the name and injuries of the woman.

“Make sure you understand your smart watch, or smart device, smart phone. There’s a lot of them out there. All of them operate a little bit differently, so make sure you know how to use it in an emergency or how it’s going to respond in an emergency” Carney said.

Dispatchers want the public to learn how to use their devices and how they can be safe in emergency cases.

If a false alert is sent out, stay on the line to inform dispatchers.