A 49-year-old experienced swimmer in New South Wales used his Apple Watch to call for help after becoming caught in an ocean current that was dragging him further out to sea.
Shearman’s Apple Watch was credited with saving his life. (credit: Surf Life Saving NSW)
Shearman’s Apple Watch was credited with saving his life. (credit: Surf Life Saving NSW)
Byron Bay resident Rick Shearman had been out for his usual morning body surf at Tallow Beach when he got deluged by strong breaking waves that were carrying him further away from land. He was eventually carried out a kilometer (0.6 miles) offshore, trying to find a channel to get back to land.
“I copped a couple of big ones on the head and was held under for a while, I started to panic a bit and cramp up under water there,” Shearman later told an ABC North Coast reporter. “It became clear after about 20 minutes that I wasn’t going to make it back in and I needed some assistance.”