Smartwatch Saves Life of Maui Paddler After Falling Overboard

Technology can be a magnificent thing when it works, and apart from counting his lucky stars, an outrigger canoe paddler has his smartwatch to thank for his swift rescue on January 6th.

“At approximately 4:17 p.m.,” Reports KHON2, “emergency response officials received word of a male outrigger canoe paddler who was separated from his canoe several miles offshore.”

Maui’s Ocean Safety department dispatched jetskis as well as an air unit, which eerily encountered the empty outrigger before gathering location information from the 60-something-year-old Maui resident’s smartwatch, which ultimately enabled them to then locate the paddler.

Rescue personnel then airlifted and returned him to shore, where he did not require any medical attention, officials told KHON2. The rescue was swiftly wrapped up by 1800 hours. Impressive stuff.

It’s also worth adding that an official High Surf Advisory had been raised for a portion of the island during the time of rescue.

Here’s to our first responders—particularly those on and over the sea—a happy ending, and yes, our dearly beloved tracking devices. And let this be a lesson to all surf-going folk interested in a little extra peace of mind. Be it in a rip, after a shark bite, or whatever other strife you may encounter out there, one extra societal tether might just be your saving grace someday.