A swimmer caught in treacherous waters was rescued thanks to his quick thinking and the technology of his smartwatch.
The man was swimming when a strong rip current pulled him far from shore. As panic set in, he remembered he could use his Apple Watch, which he was wearing, to call for help.
Using the smartwatch, he dialed 000, prompting emergency services to dispatch a rescue team immediately.
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The swimmer, who had been enjoying the waters off Byron Bay, Australia, was located approximately 0.6 miles off Broken Head coast around 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 13.
He was hoisted to safety by Surf Life Saving NSW and the Gold Coast-based Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter.
According to What’s The Jam, the man was treated by paramedics at the scene but escaped without serious injuries.
The dramatic rescue story has garnered over 5,000 views on Instagram, where it was shared widely.
Surf Life Saving Queensland acknowledged the crucial role the smartwatch played in the successful rescue, referring to it as “very handy for this lucky swimmer.”
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Chief pilot Paul Gibson of the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service Queensland expressed his gratitude for the collaborative effort, stating, “Lifesaving is a joint effort between many parties. We were happy to work together with NSW to represent the red and yellow in the air.”
Gibson also reminded the public to check conditions before entering the water, noting that even in winter, conditions can change rapidly.
The Instagram post was met with praise from viewers.
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Paul commented, “Another lifesaving job well done by the team,”
while Scott added, “Super work team!”
Another user remarked, “Good outcome, well done,”
and Rachel thanked the team for their efforts, expressing relief that the swimmer was safe.
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