PaddleSafe User Guide
PaddleSafe is a PaddlePal Pro feature for workout location sharing and emergency alerts to your chosen contact. Set it up before you go on the water.
Before your paddle
- Update PaddlePal on your iPhone and Apple Watch. Check that PaddlePal Pro is active.
- On the iPhone home screen, tap the PaddleSafe shield, then Add Emergency Contact. Select a trusted person and check their mobile number, including the country code. One emergency contact is supported at a time.
- Review the saved contact. Tap the contact card to change it. Tell them your route, expected return time and what to do if they receive an alert.
- Allow location access and Precise Location. Check your battery and internet connection before starting.
A setup status such as “Fully Protected” means the subscription and contact checks passed. It does not confirm mobile coverage, message delivery or that somebody is monitoring you.
During a workout
PaddlePal attempts to start a PaddleSafe session for eligible Pro users when recording begins. Live updates depend on the session starting successfully, location access and an internet connection. Pausing or ending the workout affects location updates.
GPS recording and live sharing are different: your device can record GPS without mobile data, but other people cannot receive fresh online updates while it is offline. Cached workout locations may be retried after an interruption; this is not an offline emergency-message guarantee.
Send an emergency beacon on iPhone
- During a workout, tap Beacon.
- Check the contact and message preview. A 10-second countdown starts. Tap Cancel before it finishes if the activation was accidental.
- At the end of the countdown, PaddlePal attempts to send the alert through its online messaging service. Read the result shown in the app.
The message can include your name, available location information, a map link, battery level and time. A successful send request does not prove the contact has received or read the SMS. Delivery depends on the network, messaging service and recipient’s carrier.
Apple Watch and connectivity
Set up your contact on iPhone and allow it to sync before leaving. Standalone Watch workout recording does not guarantee standalone emergency messaging. Check the Watch’s connection and the result of any beacon request; do not assume it succeeded because the workout is recording.
If something is not working
- Before departure, check Pro access, the saved contact number, location permissions and internet access.
- If an alert fails, do not assume it is queued for later delivery. In an emergency, contact local emergency services using an available communication method rather than waiting for app support or a retry.
- Do not force-quit PaddlePal or change permissions during an active recording just to troubleshoot; finish safely first.
PaddleSafe is not a monitored rescue service and does not automatically call emergency services. Agree a check-in plan with your contact and carry appropriate safety equipment.
Privacy and help
Location sharing and beacon messaging send data to PaddlePal services and messaging providers. Treat any shared tracking link as private: someone it is forwarded to may be able to view the session.
How PaddlePal uses your data · Location permissions · Using PaddlePal offline
For non-emergency help, open Settings → Get Support in PaddlePal or email support@paddlepal.net.