False Apple Watch SOS Triggers Massive Search and Rescue in B.C.

Coquitlam Search and Rescue (SAR) says a false emergency alert from an Apple Watch led to an unnecessary rescue response this week.

The team was called out by BC Emergency Health Services for a person in medical distress in a remote area northeast of Indian Arm. When crews investigated by flying out in a helicopter, they discovered the call was triggered by an accidental SOS activation on an Apple Watch.

The Apple Watch user had to have pressed on the Apple Watch’s side button to trigger the SOS Emergency Call menu and have tapped it. Or, automatic dialling for Crash Detection and Fall Detection will trigger an SOS call if your Apple Watch thinks you fell or were in a car crash.

Coquitlam SAR posted a picture of the Apple Watch Ultra on Facebook that triggered the false alarm.

SAR officials reminded the public that while Apple’s Emergency SOS feature can save lives in real situations, false alarms can pull vital resources away from actual emergencies.

They shared some tips to help prevent accidental activations: know how your device’s SOS function works, use a case that protects side buttons, and consider turning off “Call with Hold and Release” in Settings if you don’t need it.

Before heading outdoors, they also urge people to share a trip plan, bring a satellite communicator when going off-grid, and learn how to use their devices responsibly.

“Let’s keep search and rescue resources focused on real emergencies,” the Facebook post said on October 30.

Apple added the option to disable automatic dialing for Emergency SOS on the Apple Watch, which requires users to confirm the call by sliding an on-screen slider after holding the side button. This feature, introduced with watchOS 6 in 2019 and available in settings via the Apple Watch app on iPhone under Emergency SOS, helps prevent accidental activations during everyday activities like hiking or exercising.

You can also have Fall Detection enabled only on during workouts.

In the past, the RCMP had to warn skiers to disable crash detection as it was triggering too many false calls.

While false notifications on Apple Watch can send search and rescue teams scrambling, for the most part, Apple’s Emergency SOS Satellite has been a lifesaver for those venturing into the backcountry.