How Garmin helps you run safely
16.05.2022
Reading time: 4 minutes
Let's be honest: although running outdoors is good for your body and mind, staying safe is still very important. Maybe you have a busy lifestyle and can only run at night? Maybe you're training for longer distances, like 10 km, and your routes take you quite far from home? We often don't like to think about these things, but accidents can happen in situations like these. That's exactly why our running watches have safety features such as LiveTrack and incident detection and assistance.
What is LiveTrack?
While you run or do other activities, LiveTrack shares in real time your location with your friends and family. This way, your loved ones can follow your activity in real time. LiveTrack isn't just a great way for your fans to follow your every step and cheer you on during a race – it also gives your loved ones peace of mind during your training sessions.
To start a LiveTrack session, pair your compatible Garmin device with the free Garmin ConnectTM mobile app and enable LiveTrack for your timed activity. If you select Auto Start, all future timed activities on that device will automatically start a LiveTrack session.
Once you've started a LiveTrack session, the device automatically sends a link to the contacts you've chosen via email, text, GroupTrack or Twitter. Through this link, your loved ones can view a web page showing the real-time location of your phone or connected device on a map.
What is incident detection and assistance?
Garmin running watches that offer incident detection sense when there is a drastic change in movement while recording a timed GPS activity. In short, the device detects whether you have fallen or some kind of accident has occurred. When an incident is detected, the Garmin Connect mobile app on the device paired with your watch can send an automated text message to up to three emergency contacts. The message includes your exact GPS location.
When a possible incident is detected, your watch sends a message to the device paired with it. The message notifies you that after 30 seconds a message will be sent to your emergency contacts. If you don't need help, you can cancel sending the notification.
To enable incident detection, you first need to pair your device with the Garmin Connect smartphone app and set up your list of emergency contacts. You need to carry your phone while running so that the incident detection notification can be sent to your contacts. Your phone must have mobile data and stay within network coverage where mobile data is available. In addition, the devices listed as emergency contacts must be able to receive text messages (standard text messaging rates may apply to the messages sent).
Ultimately, running is a kind of escape into freedom. You should feel that you can step out the door and train without safety concerns holding you back. When you're equipped with a Garmin running watch with safety features, you can focus on the challenge you want to conquer without worrying about your wellbeing.
When paired with a compatible smartphone. For requirements and limitations of the safety and tracking features, see Garmin.com/safety. Incident detection is not available for all GPS activity profiles on Garmin watches. It is only available for outdoor walking, running and cycling.
