PROJECT LIFESAVER

Escambia Search and Rescue wants to inform the public about Project Lifesaver, a program that uses radio receivers to find lost people who are wearing small transmitters. Jon Rhodes, one of Project Lifesaver’s coordinators says the device can help find someone in 30 minutes instead of using a team of 40 or 50 people who may search for days. Project Lifesaver is meant to protect those who are at high risk for wandering, such as those with autism, Alzheimer’s, or brain injuries. Currently there are about 100 transmitters in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, and 22 people are certified to use the 18 tracking receivers in the two counties. Rhodes said that so far, Search and Rescue has found 15 people who were lost but wearing the Project Lifesaver equipment.