Rick Shearman, a surfer in Byron Bay, Australia, was swept away by rough seas but managed to call for help using his Apple Watch Ultra. The built-in cellular connection of the watch enabled him to contact emergency services, leading to his timely rescue.

Apple Watch Saves Surfer Lost at Sea in Australia – Tech to the Rescue in Byron Bay

In a dramatic turn of events, Rick Shearman, a seasoned surfer, found himself in a perilous situation after being swept away by rough seas while bodysurfing at Tallow Beach in Byron Bay, Australia. Fortunately, his Apple Watch Ultra proved to be a lifesaver.

Surfer Caught in Rough Seas

According to ABC News Australia, Shearman was enjoying a day of bodysurfing when he was caught in an impact zone, struggling against powerful waves. “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 recounted.

Despite his experience in the water, Shearman realized he was in serious trouble after 20 minutes of trying to swim back to shore. His partner on the beach, assuming he had gone shopping, was not aware of the dire situation.

A Lifeline on the Wrist

Fortunately, Shearman was wearing his Apple Watch Ultra, equipped with a built-in cellular connection. Using this, he called the Australian emergency services. “At this point I was a long way out to sea, I was being buffeted by wind and big swells, it was actually quite difficult to utilise [the watch]. I had to hold it up to my ear to hear what was going on and speak to the respondent,” Shearman explained. The emergency services stayed on the line with him for an hour until rescue teams arrived.

Apple Watch Ultra

A lifeguard at the scene praised the Apple Watch for its role in the rescue, noting that without it, such operations could take many hours or even days. “It’s amazing that I was able to use that technology to save my life,” Shearman said.

The Apple Watch has been waterproof up to 50 meters since the Series 2 model. The Apple Watch Ultra, designed for rugged conditions, boasts water resistance up to 100 meters. This feature played a crucial role in ensuring Shearman could make the call for help even under challenging conditions.