Fallen Detection & Notification App

Recently, I have been thinking about what would occur if I fell down and either could not manage to get myself up or became unconscious whether within my apartment or elsewhere.

The fact is that I could not manage to afford one of those devices that can be used in such cases where emergency responders can be contacted and then be dispatched to the scene.

While in the process of thinking about this type of scenario and what potential options might be with which to address it, what came to mind is about how I already have the technology on my wrist, my Fitbit Charge 3 model fitness tracker smartwatch, that could do just what is needed should something along the above lines ever happen.

What would be required is to include an app within its main app that people with the device could select and program with contact information and the like for if and when something happens, like a fall or other need for assistance or alert 911.

So, with this in mind, I just called Fitbit and provided them with the details of my idea and the person who took my call wrote it up and will be passing along my suggestion for potential consideration.

Am hoping that Fitbit will seriously consider doing something meaningful along these lines. It could help save some lives.

349 Comments
Danaemborsky
First Steps
Personally, I've given up hope w Fitbit f fall detection and have owned the
Galaxy Watch 3 w fall detection and LTE emergency call service for six
months and am totally satisfied with it. I am 71 with foot, knee, and hip
problems and am prone to lose my balance. Sorry Fitbit. Dana
Rhiannon
Recovery Runner
Good to know, thanks for sharing.

You know, if you think about it, a lack of a fall detection option is, in actuality, a form of disability discrimination.

Not very smart, FitBit.
Eliene
First Steps
There should be an app for fitbit that notifys te emergency contacts of the person who is using the fitbit when this person falls
DavideFitbit
Moderator Alum
Moderator Alum

Hi @Elienethanks for sharing your suggestion about the possibility of adding a fall detection feature. I noticed this feature suggestion already exists so I’ve moved your post hereThis helps to keep the forums more organized and prevent the vote from splitting into multiple ideas. 

 

Thank you for your participation in the Community! 

marycappy18
Jogger

If the sense already has the capability please add this feature making long runs much safer.

FrancinaW
First Steps

The Apple watch of mij friend is already able to help her if she falls. The watch asked her several times  if she needed help when she fell. If she is not able to respond, the watch will make a phone call to her daughter or to 112 (in The Netherlands). I would like the same om my Fitbit Sense if possible. 

Erylea
First Steps

I am not very hopeful but I thought I would at least express my opinion.  A friend recently received timely help from a fall through their Apple Watch.  My husband and I are over 70 and therefore the fall potential is ever present.  I currently wear a Sense, enjoy the current features but Fall Detection is taking priority right now.  There are a few of us who use Fitbit and we've talking about switching to Apple.  Before I commit I just really want to know if FITBIT is at least has this on the radar.  I notice on this Board that Fall Detection requests go back to 2018 and this is now 2021 hence ... not very hopeful.

 

If anyone has information regarding the possibility of Fall Detection please let us know.

Patmus
First Steps

I really need the fall sense app. I love my Fit Bit and do not want to change to another smart watch.

I am a senior with Parkinsons and I fall. I'd like to have what my daughter has on her apple watch on my Fitbit. If she falls it senses it and automatically calls both 911 and the people on her select list.

Please work on this.

Mars99
First Steps
any updates on fall protection

Aging society. If not soon we will all go to Apple. 🤞🏼
ChronicPain
Jogger

We have chosen not to continue with Fitbit. We are now using galxy which has more features including fall detection and sos

Patmus
First Steps
Can this be used with an Android phone?

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
Get Outlook for Android
ChronicPain
Jogger

The sense connects to your Android phone or device but it does not a have a fall detection or SOS function. This has been requested for nearly 2 years now. That should tell you how much Fitbit respect their community

sarcazm
Strider

I would end up using this feature multiple times a month as someone with disabilities.  Couple that with the other requested fearure to add the ability to send a text if you so choose to an emergency contact from the Sense it would probably save my life one of these days.

Danboysk
First Steps

I'm looking into this for my mother, and may have to choose another provider and I suspect many people will do the same, Particularly as  this relatively easy feature to implement particularly as the hardware is already built in.

It's increasingly becoming a product differentiator.

SunsetRunner
Not applicable

Fall detection is already in Apple watch by the way.
Fitbit is still way behind the competition.
I would rather see Fitbit do more and better than the competition.

For example - Waterproof to 50 meters to 100 meters. - Cholesterol measurements
A- Better skin temperature readings
B- Fall detection linked to certain contacts.
Alarm goes out by SMS. This can be done via Medic in apple or a medic app.
- Release more external products linked to all Fitbit wearable watch. I mean then
1 - External Blood Pressure Monitors.
2 - Cholesterol measurements
3 - Diabetes Meters
This then makes a much better measurements along with the watch appart.

I recommend everyone Buy A and B with it.
Because Fitbit does not have A and B and 3 does not yet.
And I suspect it will never really come, And if it does you can pay a lot of money in premium I bet everything I don't own. 😉

Jimcoates47
Jogger
I have a total hip replacement and a fused spine that makes me very prone to falling. I always wear my Fitbit so it would be very important that I be able to make 911 outgoing calls.
DavideFitbit
Moderator Alum
Moderator Alum

Hello @Jimcoates47, thanks for sharing your idea about the possibility of having a fallen detection or emergency contact feature. I noticed that a similar suggestions has already been posted, so I’ve moved your post here, this helps to keeps the boards more organized. Make sure to add your vote as well to support this suggestion, this helps the team of developers to keep track of popularity and demand over time.

 

In addition, you can vote for this other idea posted in the forums about having a Emergency Contact Button or SOS Call

 

Thank you again for your participation in the Community.

jingcha
First Steps

Fitbit moderator, the people who want this feature of fall detection are senior citizens or their care takers. They are usually not computer savvy. So dont expect 3000+ votes before you start implementing this. To write a comment here, I had to create an account in Fitbit, accept T&C. I spent 5 minutes just to start typing this. I dont have a Fitbit. I wont buy a Fitbit before it has this feature. All your competitors have this feature of Fall detection. Linking with spotify or setting alarms for sleeping and waking can be done on a phone too. But this fall detection feature cant be done on a phone but only on a Fitbit. The fact that there are 500 non-users of Fitbit upvoting this feature means that there is a huge demand for this feature. If you get this done before Christmas 2021, Fitbit will get bonanza orders for Christmas. So please help the people whose lives you can save..... So do share this comment with top management and get this done ASAP. 

dt7
Jogger
My decision between apple and Fitbit is based on whether it has FALL DETECTION. Fitbit really needs to add that or they will lose sales.
YojanaFitbit
Moderator Alum
Moderator Alum

Hi @dt7, thanks for explaining why you would like to have "Fall detection" option. I've moved it into a similar request. I think that a lot of users would like to have this option on their Fitbit devices. You can learn more about how Fitbit decides what suggestions get released in our FAQs.

 

Thank you again for your participation in the Feature Suggestions Forums.

Reijsje
Jogger
I would love the features off the Ionic, GPS, music storage etc on a Sense or Versa. With also a Fall detection
LizzyFitbit
Premium User
Fitbit Moderator
Fitbit Moderator

Hi @Reijsje, thanks for sharing this suggestion about including a fall detection on the Sense and Versa series with us. Because this idea was already requested in the Feature Suggestions board, I’ve moved your post here. This will help us to make sure the suggestions don't get confused, or split a popular vote. You might also be interested in this other suggestion. Please click on the thumbs-up to show your support.

671GOLD
Stepping Up

Great post to suggest a fall detection app. I'm totally on board with a fall detection app. I fully agree that a fall detection app is an absolute no brainer for all digital watches to have. It seems Fitbit watches are behind the times in not following the up-to-date digital trends as of November 2021. General online research data reveals that many standard digital watches today not just health and fitness watches have a fall detection feature. Fall detection app is currently a standard application as it is perfectly applicable to health, "wellness" and fitness. Sadly it seems that Fitbit is only fitness focused and nothing else. Fitbit you wouldn't have the successful status you have today without your consumers. Please get on board and provide Fitbit consumers a fall detection app. You can gain back former Fibit users that have switched over to Garmin (my husband) and Apple watches (majority of my family members and friends) and the Samsung Galaxy (I'm a former Galaxy watch consumer and might make the switch back to a Galaxy watch pending Fitbit Sense watch 2021 improvements.). To all Fitbit users keep up the demand for a Fall detection app.  Appreciate you Fibit in advance for the genuine support to comply and keep your consumers happy and satisfied with their Fitbit purchase.

Dee58
First Steps
I would even be happy to pay a monthly/yearly surcharge as I'm now paying $44/month for an additional device. Often think of going without but then realize I really can't.Dee
Webby27
Jogger

I’ve been reading some of the ideas under this category and I see one reply from Fitbit saying this is not a right fit for their company.

People are looking for a smartwatch that covers all the bases. Currently there are 2 company’s that provide the fall detection feature, these are Apple & Samsung. I love Fitbit and your losing a big customer base who are wanting a smartwatch that will allow it to alert the person's emergency contacts in case of a fall. This is a feature which will benefit a lot of people. 
I had a black out 4 days ago for the 1st time and lost 25 mins of time. When I came too I was sat on my bathroom floor not understanding how I got there. When I eventually came around I was able to shout my son.

Now imagine if I had hit my head on the sink on my way down and opened a wound. This could have been a hundred times worse.

Now if I had my watch on which I didn't realise it had the fall detection built in, it would have alerted my emergency contacts within a minute of me not responding to my fall.

I am looking for a new smartwatch that offers quite a lot of health monitoring plus Fall detection and has a good battery life. I would have purchased the new Sense but as it's not got the Fall detection I'm having to look at other manufacturers.

 

Hopefully Fitbit devs reading this post will re-consider looking at adding the Fall detection into their smartwatch's.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read my post.

Webby. 

 

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