Project Lifesaver is an active response to the problem of locating people who may not be able to find their way home – before they become victims. The average rescue time is less than 30 minutes. A lost person with any kind of dementia or a development disability is unaware of his or her situation. They do not call out for help and do not respond to people calling out to them The Project Lifesaver team is trained to approach a person with Alzheimer’s disease or a developmental disability, gain their trust, and put them at ease for the trip home.

The Technology

The Project Lifesaver transmitter wristband is more than a positive ID wristband. It is a one-ounce, battery-operated, wrist radio transmitter that emits an automatic tracking signal every second, 24 hours a day. The signal can be tracked over several miles on the ground by members of the Wood County Sheriff’s Office or from the air by helicopter.
Each wristband has a unique radio frequency that enables the Project Lifesaver search team, using a specially designed radio receiver, to positively identify and locate a person who has wandered away from home or become separated in a public place. People participating in the Project Lifesaver program wear a personalized wristband that emits a constant tracking signal (tracked only when activated by a missing persons report). Specially trained search teams have reduced the time it takes to locate a missing person from days and hours to only minutes.

Members of the Sheriff’s Office are trained in rescue operations, proper maintenance of equipment, and how to enroll people in the program.

Benefits of Project Lifesaver

• Peace of mind – a wandering person can be located in minutes.
• Loved ones are not subjected to hours of darkness, poor weather or predators.
• More reliable than GPS tracking
• Trained rescuers approach calmly and safely return your loved ones.
• Saves thousands of taxpayer dollars
• Lightweight, easy to wear bracelet.
• Help is immediate once a family/caregiver notifies the Sheriff’s Office

Contact Information:

Chief Deputy Rodney Konrad
Office: (419) 373-6519
Email: rkonrad@woodcountyohio.gov