The Importance of Project Lifesaver, Especially During the Winter Months
Feb 24, 2010 – Chesapeake, VA – In January and February alone, Project Lifesaver International, a non-profit organization specializing in training public safety agencies on search and rescue programs, equipment, and procedures to help individuals with cognitive conditions that wander, has conducted approximately 30 search and rescue missions for missing individuals participating in their program throughout the United States. This year’s winter season has also proven to be one of extreme winter conditions, as snow has blanketed many states throughout the month of February.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, nearly 60% of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease will wander at some point during the progression of the disease, and many will wander repeatedly. Additionally, according to a survey conducted by the National Autism Association, nearly 92% of parents felt that their autistic child was at risk of wandering. To help combat this problem of wandering, Project Lifesaver International helps train public safety agencies throughout the world to conduct search and rescue efforts by using state-of-the-art technology to find those who wander due to cognitive conditions.