Apple Watch as a Health Monitor

[Citroënbender]

I’m curious, have spent quite a good while Googling and now putting it out here for subjective experiences in the first and third party…

Has anyone here, exposure to use of specifically the Apple Watch range (not just smartwatches generally) as an augment to other health monitoring? Particularly the pulse oximeter, fall detect and ECG functions.

[five 7]

Looking forward to your twice daily step announcement CB. 😀

[Citroënbender]

It’s usually 10-12,5K & 20+ floors thanks to the mezzanine across the road.

Actually more from discussions with my neighbour’s nephews and nieces about being able to check remotely on their 94 year old maiden aunt.

[five 7]

Had a mate knocked out in a rural car crash recently emergency services were there before he came to, thanks to his apple watch.

[FTE217]

I find all this info gets OTT - people fixated on their mobiles to wrist watchs.
Check this check that.
What are your neighbours actually after ?
Health checks or emergency wristband style ?

I use a garmin for my golf, it shows all this crap as well, like my iphone, I hardly use any of the features.
I hear of the step count chest beating, lol good for you if your into it go for it and keep it to yourself.

[mad2]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

I’m curious, have spent quite a good while Googling and now putting it out here for subjective experiences in the first and third party…

Has anyone here, exposure to use of specifically the Apple Watch range (not just smartwatches generally) as an augment to other health monitoring? Particularly the pulse oximeter, fall detect and ECG functions.

my understanding of the apple is.. all works except the fall detect.

[Citroënbender]

You say it’s never worked, or just unreliable?

[GeeEmm]

Re the fall monitor, I have an android which has fall detection as well as manual activation - my license to climb on ladders and do other things old fartz shouldn't do. Had a potentially serious (ie fatal) fall the other day, watch strap came undone, no automatic activation occurred. Dunno if it was the loose watch that couldn't detect the impact, or feature just not working. Not planning any more testing either!

Noteworthy that I have not had even one of the false alarms I was warned about either - I think I would be happier if they were proving a nuisance.

I think the 'call 000' function is the most important feature for someone like me, living alone and somewhat isolated from neighbors.

I have all the health stuff too, mostly ignore it all, I have 'proper' BP monitor and oximeter if needed.

[Citroënbender]

Neighbour has one of those subscription service pendants that have fall detection plus a duress button. These functions work pretty well. It’s got a couple of problems, she takes it off to bathe and (so, she could fall undetected in the shower) it doesn’t track pulse.

I was sent charging in by a panicked niece calling from interstate late one recent evening because the old dear wasn’t answering her phones (mobile flat, hearing aids taken out for the evening). If they’d been able to know remotely she had a normal pulse, they’d have not worried so much.

[foxtrot3]

Hi I have the series 7 cellular (dont need to have the phone with me/near me to make or answer calls. Has fall detection (seems to work well when you thump something the wrong way), heart monitor ( wont detect heart attacks but picks up irregular rhythm, already on drugs for AF but its nice to know when to take it easy), blood O2 saturation when you ask it but the series 7 missed out on crash detection and even though it has a skin temp sensor built in to it you cant use it to see if you're running a fever. Doesn't do blood pressure either. But the snoopy watch face is great or the mickey mouse face for going out. Cheers MD

[foxtrot3]

Originally Posted by GeeEmm

Re the fall monitor, I have an android which has fall detection as well as manual activation - my license to climb on ladders and do other things old fartz shouldn't do. Had a potentially serious (ie fatal) fall the other day, watch strap came undone, no automatic activation occurred. Dunno if it was the loose watch that couldn't detect the impact, or feature just not working. Not planning any more testing either!

Noteworthy that I have not had even one of the false alarms I was warned about either - I think I would be happier if they were proving a nuisance.

I think the 'call 000' function is the most important feature for someone like me, living alone and somewhat isolated from neighbors.

I have all the health stuff too, mostly ignore it all, I have 'proper' BP monitor and oximeter if needed.

Hi. You may find that fall detection doesnt work unless it is on your wrist. Cheers MD

[mad2]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

You say it’s never worked, or just unreliable?

brother-inlaw put it on & then fell over a 'few' times with nothing happening.

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Neighbour has one of those subscription service pendants that have fall detection plus a duress button. These functions work pretty well. It’s got a couple of problems, she takes it off to bathe and (so, she could fall undetected in the shower) it doesn’t track pulse.

I was sent charging in by a panicked niece calling from interstate late one recent evening because the old dear wasn’t answering her phones (mobile flat, hearing aids taken out for the evening). If they’d been able to know remotely she had a normal pulse, they’d have not worried so much.

mum also had 1 of those ....... useless re falling over. mum's also had a call function .. so if she did not answer the ph i rang the pendant. at least that worked!. and incase your wondering . . . .. she fell over whilst kneeling plus a few other times. other half reminded me that if they do fall over ..... don't move stay still!?.

[GeeEmm]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Neighbour has one of those subscription service pendants ... she takes it off to bathe and (so, she could fall undetected in the shower) ... .

This is a real danger and hearing a horror story from a friend prompted the watch. It is waterproof and the iron rule is - wear it in the shower. I also put some of those kids' non-slip stickers on the floor of the shower, they work surprisingly well and are a 1000% improvement on the mats.

Originally Posted by foxtrot3

Hi. You may find that fall detection doesnt work unless it is on your wrist. Cheers MD

It was on my wrist, fastened on the way down, unfastened itself at some point, probably when my hand hit the ground to break the fall.