What is Automatic Fall Detection?
Silvertree offers automatic fall detection included as a standard feature in the Silvertree Reach. Unlike other companies, we don’t charge extra fees for fall detection or other advanced features.
Automatic fall detection is a system that uses multiple sensors and algorithms to analyze movement data and detect if a person has taken a hard fall.
How does it work?
Barometric Sensor These sensors can detect very small changes in height (or pressure), such as the difference between someone standing or laying down. | Accelerometer These sensors can detect movement (acceleration and deceleration), such as the act of someone hitting the ground. | Advanced Algorithms These algorithms analyze all of the sensor data in real time to minimize the number of false alarms. |
You said automatic fall detection can detect ‘most’ falls - why can’t it detect all falls?
Fall detection with any device may not work 100% of the time because the human wrist motion for some falls looks too much like some other wrist motions, like quickly sitting down or waving rapidly.
Fall detection must find a balance so as to not be too sensitive to movement which can result in false positives or false negatives. While our algorithms will get smarter over time, movements for different people may register in various ways.
The Reach must be charged. If the Reach does not have battery, the fall will not be detected. It's important to understand how to send an SOS manually even when you have fall detection turned on, just in case. If able, you should always press the button when you need help.
NOTE: No Fall detector can detect 100% of falls.
Can the fall detection feature go off accidentally?
It can, if the feature is turned on in your Silvertree App device settings. The Silvertree Reach is designed to detect motion that resembles a hard fall. If you drop your Reach from an elevated height, move hands quickly then stop suddenly, or participate in certain vigorous sports, the Reach might detect a fall and escalate it to your Care Team and eventually our Call Center (false positives). This is why it's so important to know how to cancel an SOS, to make sure your Care Team does not have on Do Not Disturb for emergencies, and to verify your phone number with Silvertree.
Can Emergency Services show up where I am even if it's not a real fall or emergency?
Yes. The Silvertree Reach may occasionally signal a fall alert even if you have not fallen (a false-positive). Before Emergency Services are dispatched there are steps in place before your local authorities are sent to your location. The best way to prevent Emergency Servicesin the case of a false alarm is to cancel an SOS within 15 seconds after the false-positive is detected, make sure your Care Team does not have on Do Not Disturb for emergencies, and that your phone number is verified.
NOTE: If a false-positive is detected, you can cancel the SOS before emergency services are sent.
Can I still press the button if I have Fall Detection turned on?
Yes. We always encourage you to press the button on the side of your Reach any time you need help. If you are able, don't wait for the fall detection sensors to detect if you need help.