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> I think the odds for such an event are rather low. And I guess you are writing just to the young users. There are a lot of old people living alone (in the pa
by acqq 7y ago
> I think the odds for such an event are rather low.
And I guess you are writing just to the young users. There are a lot of old people living alone (in the part of the world where such watches are affordable). Falling, even in their own house, then remaining immobile and unable to call for help is a common cause of huge problems (1) (2).
The specialized devices already exist too, but a lot of people don't carry them, until they already suffer such event and also have luck to survive. Such people (who would otherwise not survive) get potentially (if the system do engage and what follows can be influenced) a huge benefit in a watch that has such functionality.
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1) https://www.medicalalertadvice.com/fall-detection/ https://www.medicalalertadvice.com/fall-detection/ also:
"With the monthly costs nearly twice that of a traditional medical alert monitoring system, the cost alone may be the deciding factor. Is the extra costs worth it? Only you can make that decision. Keep in mind, these emergency alert systems cannot detect 100% of all falls."
2) Also see the exponential increase of chances to die with age:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gompertz%E2%80%93Makeham_law_of_mortality#/media/File:USGompertzCurve.svg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gompertz%E2%80%93Makeham_law_o...
- mruts 7y agoWell it’s clear that the watch is providing less value. If you’re already old, the value of “saving” your life isn’t that much, your probably gonna die soon anyways.
- deleted 7y ago[deleted]
- scoutt 7y agoBesides the fact that you cannot estimate the value of a person's life and the fact I don't want to think you're trolling, it can happen to anyone. We have recently a case of a coworker (middle-age man) falling in his house while wife and kids were away and stayed there for hours until somehow reached his phone with a broken back.
- mruts 7y agoWhich is what I said. The watch provides more value the when younger. Middle aged to like 65 is probably the sweet spot of value. Though I guess it depends on how much you value every second of life.
- deleted 7y ago[deleted]
- microtherion 7y agoAnd even among young users, I know a sizable number who were involved in rather gruesome falls.
- JshWright 7y ago> Falling, even in their own house, then remaining immobile and unable to call for help is a common cause of huge problems That's been a solved problem for years though. As your link points out, LifeAlert bracelets (and similar technologies) have had fall detection for quite some time now. The new thing that Apple (and Garmin) have brought to the table is pairing that will a cell radio. Given the other benefits of a LifeAlert bracelet (or pendant), I'm not sure the Apple Watch is a major improvement (especially for someone with failing eyesight).
- hn_user2 7y agoMy proud father would not even consider life alert even though he has fallen several times already with nobody home. Loves the Apple Watch I bought him as a gift though.
- acqq 7y agoExactly! “I’m still not in so bad shape!” And this is the best aspect of the systems that aren’t explicitly “for sick and old.”