Using Apple Watch without iPhone

Hi DaphneVioleta,

Fall Detection does use the sensors inside of Apple Watch to detect a hard fall, and can call emergency services if it is a cellular enabled device with an active plan.

See more info below.

• Use Emergency SOS on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

"How to call emergency services on your Apple Watch

1. Press and hold your watch's side button (the button below the Digital Crown) until the Emergency Call slider appears.
2. 
3. Drag the Emergency Call slider to start the call immediately. Or you can keep holding the side button; after a countdown, your watch calls emergency services automatically.

Use Crash Detection and Fall Detection to call for help

If you have Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), or Apple Watch Ultra with the latest version of watchOS, your device can call emergency services and send a message to your emergency contacts when a severe car crash is detected. Learn more about using Crash Detection on Apple Watch to call for help in an accident.

Fall Detection on Apple Watch Series 4 or later and Apple Watch SE or later can connect you to emergency services when a hard fall is detected. Learn how to use Fall Detection on Apple Watch."

Cheers!

NO. The user needs an iPhone connected to the Apple Watch. You cannot buy an Apple Watch and set up with a cellular plan as a standalone device.

You can set up this watch with your iPhone for this person as a family member and fall detection is an available option, though some features are not available --> Set up Apple Watch for a family member - Apple Support

DaphneVioleta wrote:

What about an iPad? The intended user has a wifi enabled iPad but no iPhone or other cellular enabled apple devices.

No. It MUST be paired with an iPhone. If an iPhone isn't an option for this person, don't buy them an Apple Watch. It won't work at all.

Don't buy them an Apple Watch without an iphone.