Survival Story of Bodysurfer Rick Shearman Thanks to Smartwatch
Rick Shearman, a 49-year-old bodysurfer, credits his smartwatch with saving his life during a harrowing experience last July. While surfing off the coast of New South Wales, he was abruptly pulled out to sea, finding himself stranded over a kilometre from shore.
In a moment of desperation, Shearman activated the SOS feature on his smartwatch, a decision that proved crucial. "I was astounded when I actually made the call through to triple zero," he recalled. Shearman remained in the water for approximately 20 minutes, treading water and anxiously waiting for help. His perseverance paid off when a rescue helicopter appeared on the horizon to retrieve him. "I stayed on the line until the chopper came over and scooped me up," he said.
After the rescue, Shearman met the Westpac Rescue team that saved him and participated in a safety campaign for Apple, shining a light on the usefulness of smartwatches in emergencies. Rescue officer Alex Carroll noted that upon retrieval, Shearman appeared exhausted, and they assisted him back to the beach.
Shearman firmly believes that without his smartwatch, he might not have survived the ordeal. "It absolutely did save my life, invaluable," he stated, emphasising the life-saving potential of modern technology. His story underlines the importance of smart devices which, aside from fitness tracking, feature emergency capabilities that can prove critical in life-threatening situations.
This incident has raised awareness regarding the life-saving functions of smartwatches, with other brands offering similar features. For instance, Garmin devices include ECG monitors, while Samsung Galaxy watches provide stress-level monitoring, highlighting the array of safety functionalities now readily accessible.
Overall, Shearman’s experience serves as a powerful reminder of how technology can play an essential role in personal safety, offering reassurance for those engaging in outdoor activities.