March 8, 2026

Central Times

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Apple

Apple Watch Ultra Rescues 26-Year-Old Diver in Mumbai Emergency

Kshitij Zodape, a 26-year-old techie from Mumbai, credits his Apple Watch Ultra for saving his life during a scuba diving accident in Puducherry. He works in an e-commerce company and was diving in the Bay of Bengal when a mishap nearly turned fatal. At about 36 metres underwater, his weight belt accidentally came loose, causing him to rise rapidly toward the surface. This sudden ascent can cause serious harm, often leading to lung over-expansion because of rapid pressure changes underwater.

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Apple Watch Ultra Alerts Mumbai Techie During Dangerous Dive

Zodape realized he was ascending too quickly but was unable to stop himself or signal for help. Fortunately, his Apple Watch Ultra detected the emergency using its dive sensors. The watch first issued warnings about the rapid ascent, alerting him to slow down immediately. When no corrective action was detected, the device automatically triggered its built-in emergency siren, designed for high-risk outdoor situations like this. The loud, high-pitched sound played a critical role in the rescue.

The siren, audible even in underwater conditions, caught the attention of Zodape’s diving instructor, who had been swimming ahead. Hearing the alarm, the instructor quickly turned back and helped control Zodape’s ascent, potentially preventing a serious injury or fatality. Zodape later admitted he had no idea the watch had such a feature, but now believes it was the reason he survived the incident. He described the situation as terrifying, with poor visibility and strong underwater currents, making the scenario even more dangerous.

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Emergency Siren Saves Life and Earns Response from Apple CEO

After the event, Kshitij Zodape wrote to Apple CEO Tim Cook, sharing his story and thanking the company for creating a product that helped save his life. In a heartwarming reply, Tim Cook personally expressed his relief that the alarm was heard in time and appreciated Zodape for sharing his experience. The Apple Watch Ultra, launched in 2022, specifically targets rugged adventures with features like depth tracking, emergency sirens, crash detection, and more— all designed to enhance user safety during extreme activities.

This incident highlights how smart wearables are evolving beyond fitness tracking to actively support users in emergencies. Whether through fall detection, SOS alerts, or dive monitoring, technology now acts as a proactive safety companion. For Kshitij Zodape, the watch didn’t just record his workout — it reacted faster than a human could, alerted his instructor, and gave him a second chance at life. His story adds to the growing list of real-world examples where technology saves lives in unexpected ways.

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