Well I always wondered how well the Apple Watch Fall Detection feature worked, but I didn’t necessarily plan to test it out myself. Apple tweaked the algorithms in WatchOS last year to better sense falls resulting from cycling accidents, and they definitely work: Riding to a meeting on Tuesday I swerved to avoid speeding drivers, hit a raised kerb at the wrong angle, and launched myself over the handlebars. Thankfully I landed on the pavement and not in traffic, but I bounced hard, and my bike landed on top of me.

When I got up I noticed my Watch was making a loud noise and tapping for my attention. “It looks like you’ve taken a hard fall. Are you OK?” was the onscreen message, and I had to tap “I’m OK” to cancel the alarm. Of course if I hadn’t then the Watch would have presumably placed a call to emergency services and sent my GPS location. I’m glad that wasn’t necessary (though I’m still pretty bruised up a few days later), and I’m also glad for the considerate motorist who stopped her car to check on me.

So yeah, Fall Detection works, but I’m hoping I won’t need it again anytime soon.