Emergency preparedness: Enable life-saving settings on your iPhone and Apple Watch
I was a Boy Scouts leader (long story), so I know you always need to be prepared.
On your smartphone, the right apps can make a world of difference. Here are the essentials you need in an emergency.
The Apple Watch is a lifesaver, and I don’t mean it because you can answer texts from your wrist. There’s story after story about it identifying heart problems or contacting emergency responders after an accident.
Don’t have one? Your iPhone can do a lot on its own. I’ll show you that first and then advanced Apple Watch tricks.
1. Steadiness
With your iPhone in your pocket, the Health app uses custom algorithms to assess your balance, strength and gait. You can set up a notification if your level of steadiness drops. That’s important because that could mean you’re more at risk of falling.
Here’s how to set up Steadiness Notifications:
- Open the Health app and tap your profile at the top right. If you don’t see your picture or initials, tap Summary or Browse at the bottom, then scroll back to the top.
- Tap Health Checklist.
- Tap Set Up for Walking Steadiness Notifications and follow the onscreen instructions.
Is carrying your phone in your pocket (guys) or your bra (ladies) safe? Here’s my answer.
2. Heart rate variability
Heart rate variability, or HRV, measures time intervals between heartbeats when you’re at rest. Your Apple Watch checks for irregular rhythms, sends you a notification and records the data in the Health app.
Irregular rhythms could indicate atrial fibrillation (Afib), where the heart’s upper chambers beat out of sync with the lower chambers. Seriously dangerous stuff.
5 hidden health indicators to watch on your iPhone and Apple Watch
A 67-year-old woman in Maine was receiving warnings from her Apple Watch that her heart was in atrial fibrillation. After three nights of warnings, she went to the emergency room and doctors found a tumor in her heart. Here’s what happened next.
Now your iPhone can check your heart and breathing without a smartwatch - Here's how
If you thought you needed a fancy smartwatch to check your heart rate on an iPhone, think again. Already available on Android, Google Fit is finally adding a new feature that lets Apple users see how fast their hearts are pumping and respiratory rates — no wearables required.
This Android app can measure your heart rate using your phone's camera
Given the current global pandemic, a great emphasis is placed on personal health. Knowing your heart rate is a great way to keep track of blood circulation and oxygen levels. Especially with COVID-19, having enough oxygen in your blood is critical to your brain’s functions.