Highlights
- Mumbai techie survived a scuba diving accident thanks to his Apple Watch Ultra.
- The watch’s depth sensor issued warnings and activated a loud siren when Kshitij couldn’t slow his rise, alerting his instructor.
- Apple Watch Ultra’s siren emits alternating high-pitched tones audible up to 180 metres, designed for critical situations.
A wearable device has once again proven to be a life-saving gadget. This time, it was the Apple Watch Ultra, which helped a 26-year-old techie from Mumbai survive a scuba diving accident near Puducherry. The incident highlights how advanced safety features in smartwatches can make a real difference during emergencies.
How Apple Watch Ultra Saved Life?
Caption – Mumbai Techie Kshitij Zodape. (Image credit – kennnny.z On Instagram)
Mumbai Techie Kshitij Zodape works for an e-commerce company and was scuba diving in the Bay of Bengal earlier this summer when the mishap occurred. While diving around 36 metres underwater, Kshitij’s weight belt came loose, abruptly halting his descent and sending him rapidly upward. Realising the danger but unable to control the ascent or call for help, his Apple Watch Ultra automatically activated its emergency siren, which ultimately saved his life.
Kshitij, an experienced diver since 2020, recalled the terrifying moment. “The water was very choppy and visibility was poor, we could see only 5 to 10 metres. We were about 36 metres down when I suddenly started shooting up towards the surface,” he told India Today Tech.
How Apple Watch Ultra Detected an Emergency?
As Kshitij shot upward uncontrollably, the Apple Watch Ultra, equipped with depth-sensing and safety features, detected the rapid vertical ascent. It immediately sent him a warning to slow down.
“Before I could even realise, my watch started showing warnings. It told me that I needed to slow down because my ascent was too quick and it could cause injury,” he shared. However, despite the alert, he couldn’t stop himself. “I couldn’t control it, I was still rising rapidly,” he added.
The loose weight belt made Kshitij buoyant, pushing him towards the surface faster than was safe. When the watch detected no change in his ascent rate after issuing warnings, it automatically triggered its emergency siren.
“When I ignored the warnings, the Watch started chiming at full volume. The siren was distinct. My instructor, who was ahead of me, immediately heard it and swam back. By then, I had already ascended 10 metres and was still rising uncontrollably,” Kshitij recalled.
Had the instructor not heard the siren in time, Kshitij could have suffered lung over-expansion, a potentially fatal condition caused by rapid ascent underwater. As he explained, “I didn’t even know it had that siren feature.”
Thanks to the Apple Watch Ultra’s siren, his instructor was alerted quickly enough to help manage the situation and prevent a tragedy.
Following the incident, Kshitij expressed his gratitude to Apple and even emailed CEO Tim Cook to share the story. To his surprise, Cook personally responded, writing: “I’m so glad your instructor heard the alarm and quickly assisted you. Thanks so much for sharing your story with us. Be well.”
How the Apple Watch Ultra’s Emergency Siren Works?
Launched in 2022, the Apple Watch Ultra is designed for rugged use and outdoor adventures. It comes with several safety features including the emergency siren, built specifically for critical situations.
In Kshitij’s case, the device detected an abnormal ascent pattern and automatically activated the siren when it sensed no response. The watch emits two alternating high-pitched tones that can be heard from up to 180 metres away, ensuring they stand out even in noisy or chaotic surroundings.
According to Apple, the siren continues to sound until the user turns it off or the watch battery dies. While the sound’s intensity may drop slightly when the device is wet, it returns to full volume once dry.
FAQs
Q1. How did the Apple Watch Ultra help save Kshitij Zodape’s life during scuba diving?
Answer. While ascending uncontrollably underwater, the watch detected the rapid ascent, issued warnings, and triggered its emergency siren, alerting his instructor in time to prevent a fatal injury.
Q2. What triggered the emergency siren on the Apple Watch Ultra?
Answer. The watch sensed no change in ascent rate after issuing warnings and automatically activated the siren, which emits loud alternating tones audible up to 180 metres.
Q3. What safety features does the Apple Watch Ultra offer for outdoor emergencies?
Answer. It includes depth sensing, ascent alerts, and an emergency siren that continues until manually turned off or the battery dies, even functioning in wet conditions.