The article mentions that an Apple Watch must be near a (paired) iPhone to make an SOS call. This is true only of GPS-only watches. Those with the cellular radio option don't need an iPhone at all.
Since Series 4 and SE watches have a Fall Detection feature which will start a countdown when a fall is detected. It gives the wearer the opportunity to cancel the countdown to automatically making an SOS/911 call. If no cancelation is made or movement detected it makes the call. It can be set up to notified family or ICE peeps as well. There have been some false alarms since this isn't a perfect world. But it's also helped a lot of people.
With Series 8 and the new SE Watches along with the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro Apple has implemented Crash Detection. This feature differs slightly from Fall Detection based (I believe) on direction of movement among other metrics. The new hardware included an additional sensor to help make a crash determinations. It will make the call unless cancelled by the user. Not much data in on that feature yet as it's pretty new.
The iPhone as SAT phone isn't out yet and is really more of a SPOT type device and not a SAT phone. Because it needs clear sky and to be aimed - its use by an unconscious person remains to be clarified. With cell coverage I'd think it would be business as usual. There may not be an auto-SOS mode if there's no cell service. More will be known once the feature/update is released.
Like almost every piece of gear it's not perfect. But for some people it's been the best thing since sliced bread.
Another nice feature of somewhat newer watches (or maybe is all with a newer watchOS) is the watch's dialing the emergency number of whatever country you're in. I.E. a Yank in the UK dials 911 and the watch or iPhone dials 999. Or 111/112/000 etc for wherever you are. Android may do the same – I dunno.
As safety gear goes most people will make their own decisions. Like anything else others will try and make them for you.
www8.garmin.com
