FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Project Lifesaver International Expands
Safety, Security, and Rescue Services to the United Kingdom
A Non-Profit Organization with a Clear Mission
June 5, 2012, Stuart, Florida
Project Lifesaver International is pleased to announce the introduction of the non-profit, community based, public safety Program for “At Risk” populations in the United Kingdom. Project Lifesaver is a 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization that provides law enforcement, fire/rescue and other first responders with equipment and training to quickly locate and rescue individuals with cognitive disorders who are prone to the life threatening behavior of wandering, including those with Alzheimer’s disease, Autism, and Down syndrome. At risk individuals enrolled in Project Lifesaver wear a small personal transmitter around the wrist or ankle that emits an individualized tracking signal. If an enrolled client goes missing, the caregiver notifies their local Project Lifesaver trained emergency response team. Most who wander are found within a few miles from home, and search times have been reduced from hours and days to minutes. Recovery times for Project Lifesaver clients average 30 minutes which is 95% less time than standard operations. To date Project Lifesaver’s success rate is 100%.
A team of medical and search and rescue professionals from the United Kingdom have recently completed an extensive training program at the Project Lifesaver headquarters in Chesapeake, Virginia. This team of highly experienced professionals has taken back with them to the United Kingdom this lifesaving program. The symptom of wandering or elopement can be a major safety issue for both the individual with Alzheimer’s, Autism, or other cognitive disorder as well as their caregivers.
“Our exhaustive search for the most effective tracking program for “at risk” populations led us straight to Project Lifesaver”, says Dr. Martin Jackson*, (Healthcare professional who is bringing Project Lifesaver to the United Kingdom). Dr. Jackson continues; “What we discovered when doing our research for a working solution to the wandering issue is that Project Lifesaver was not only the first organization to apply tracking technology for the search and rescue of individuals with cognitive disorders that wander, but it is the most effective. This organization is a great example of what community-based first responder programs can mean to a local community”.
Project Lifesaver’s comprehensive program goes far beyond some “off the shelf” piece of technology. The “at risk” person who is located is generally disoriented, anxious, and untrusting. The teams that have been trained by Project Lifesaver learn how to approach the individual, gain their trust and put them at ease for the trip home. Without an effective program with highly trained professionals, such as the Project Lifesaver program, searches can involve multiple agencies, hundreds of officers, countless man hours and thousands of dollars. More importantly, because time is of the essence, every minute lost increases the risk of a tragic outcome.
Sobering Statistics Regarding the Prevalence of Cognitive Disorders and Wandering in the UK:
Alzheimer’s Disease 2012 Facts & Figures in the United Kingdom
• An estimated 800,000 people have dementia
• By 2021 the dementia population will grow to over 1 million
• Women make up 2/3 of the dementia population
• Roughly 60,000 individuals a year die of dementia
• The cost to the UK for dementia is over 23 billion pounds
• Some estimates are as high as 60% of individuals with dementia will wander
Estimated prevalence rate of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in the United Kingdom
• Based on the most reliable estimates available the total population of ASD in the UK could be over 500,000
• Recent studies indicate a rate of around 1 in 100 is a best estimate of the prevalence in children
• The estimated number of children under 18 with ASD is 133,500
• According to data released in April 2011 by the Interactive Autism Network (IAN) through the Kennedy Krieger Institute; roughly half, or 49%, of children with autism attempt to elope from a safe environment.
* Dr. Martin Jackson D.Sc earned a doctorate in medical sciences with a focus on clinical and forensic science. He is certified in anesthesiology, trauma, and critical care by the Royal college of Surgeons.
He is part of a highly skilled trauma and County Search and Rescue Team that is available 24 hours a day 365 days a year and is a volunteer trauma medic and an integral part of an aero-medical flight team working in Israel with the Israeli Defense Force and the Magen David Adom Ambulance Service and an Army Combat Medical Technician that has been deployed on operations in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
Dr. Jackson is also a highly trained and experienced Communication Systems Operator. He is trained with various sophisticated communication systems, including analogue and digital radio, satellite equipment, and network communications.
Dr. Jackson is registered and accredited with a number of prestigious professional organizations including but not limited to; the Royal Society of Medicine, The British Trauma Society, The Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care, The Royal College of Surgeons Emergency Rescue Team, The Emergency Planning Society, The Society of Industrial Emergency Service Officers, and The Institute of Civil Protection and Management.
For more information about Project Lifesaver International and its program and technology contact:
Joseph Salenetri
Senior Communications Advisor
609-672-1441
or
Elizabeth Kappes
Director of Media & Communications
757-531-5105
Or visit us at: www.projectlifesaver.org