It was watching over him.
Apple Watch has saved another life, as a resourceful Australian bodysurfer survived being nearly swept out to sea after calling emergency services with the life-saving digital device.
“It’s amazing that I was able to use this technology to save my life,” said Rick Shearman, 49. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
The Australian was taking part in a morning bodysurfing session at Tallow Beach in Byron Bay on Saturday when he was caught in the impact zone of a breaking wave.
“I had two big waves hit me over the head and I was stuck underwater for a while. I panicked a bit and my legs cramped up underwater,” the New South Wales native said, knowing better than to go against the waves.
Instead, Shearman, who had been in similar situations before, let the current carry him out over the waves, searching for a channel to get back to shore. Mashable reported:.
in spite of, Correct Riptide ProtocolThe stranded bodysurfer was stranded half a mile from the beach with no way to get back.
He claimed their predicament was due to ocean currents that were “heading straight out to sea” rather than north or south.
That’s when Schierman remembered an unexpected lifeline: his trusty Apple Watch.
While swimming, the resourceful swimmer used the device to call emergency services and was asked whether he needed police, fire brigade or an ambulance.
“At this point I was pretty far out to sea and had some wind and some big swells so it was actually pretty difficult to take advantage of. [the watch]”I had to hold it up to my ear to hear what was going on and speak to the respondents,” Schierman recalled.
Despite being stranded at sea, the Australian remained on the phone for an hour, instructing rescuers on his location.
He was soon rescued by helicopter and taken to safety.
Rescue teams argued that had he not been wearing an Apple Watch, the rescue could have taken days and involved multiple agencies given the vast size of the search area — and the outcome could have been much more tragic.
Schierman is thankful to have his digital guardian angel on hand.
“If I hadn’t had access to that service on my watch, I would be adrift somewhere in international waters by now,” he said.
