Project Lifesaver

Project Lifesaver is a community-based, public safety, non-profit organization that provides law enforcement, fire/rescue, and caregivers with a program designed to protect, and when necessary, quickly locate individuals with cognitive disorders who are prone to the life-threatening behavior of wandering. The program primarily serves individuals with Alzheimer's disease, autism, and other related conditions.

History

Project Lifesaver was established in 1999 by the Chesapeake, Virginia Sheriff's Office. The program was created in response to the growing number of search and rescue missions for individuals with cognitive conditions who had wandered away from their caregivers. Since its inception, Project Lifesaver has expanded to include over 1,600 agencies across the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Technology

The core of Project Lifesaver's program is the use of radio frequency technology. Participants in the program wear a small personal transmitter around the wrist or ankle that emits an individualized tracking signal. When caregivers notify the local Project Lifesaver agency that the person is missing, a trained emergency team responds to the wanderer's area and starts searching with mobile tracking equipment. The average rescue time is less than 30 minutes.

Training and Certification

Project Lifesaver provides comprehensive training for law enforcement and public safety agencies. The training includes the use of specialized equipment and techniques for locating individuals, as well as understanding the behaviors and needs of individuals with cognitive conditions. Agencies must be certified by Project Lifesaver to ensure they meet the program's standards.

Impact

Project Lifesaver has been credited with saving thousands of lives since its inception. The program not only helps to quickly locate missing individuals but also provides peace of mind to caregivers and families. The success of the program has led to its adoption by numerous agencies and has inspired similar initiatives worldwide.

See also

• Alzheimer's disease
• Autism
• Search and rescue
• Cognitive disorder