Stories Along the Way

Originally written 2024

It’s unfortunate, but Graeme and I decided that I should no longer sleep with my smartwatch.

My smartwatch is apparently too smart. It called emergency services three times in one month.

The first time, I assumed I had accidentally pressed the emergency button while I was asleep.

Then last Saturday, I woke up to a voice coming from my watch asking:

“Police, ambulance or fire?”

I thought I was dreaming.

But the voice became quite persistent, telling me to “hang in there” and again asking whether I needed police, ambulance or fire.

I got up and explained that I must have accidentally pressed the emergency button again.

The woman asked once more, just to confirm, that I did not need emergency assistance.

I assured her I was perfectly fine.

Then I looked at my watch.

Apparently, my heart rate had dropped below 40 and my watch had decided that this information needed to be shared with emergency services.

The first time it happened, I hadn’t even checked because I assumed it was an accident.

The second time made me wonder.

Then this morning, it happened again.

But this time there was an added twist.

My watch somehow took a still photo of me when I got up after hearing the voice.

Maybe it needed to establish proof of life. 

So Graeme and I have decided that the smartwatch and I can no longer sleep together.

I’m just glad I’m a light sleeper.

Imagine waking up to police, ambulance and fire trying to break into our place to rescue me while I’m standing there saying:

“But I’m fine!”