Project Lifesaver aims to assist in finding people prone to wandering off

Saskatoon Search and Rescue (SSAR)has launched a new project that may helpfindpeople prone to wandering off, such as thoseliving withAlzheimer's disease, autismor dementia.

People who enrol in the program, called Project Lifesafer, will be providedwith a free bracelet that emits a radio signal. The Saskatoon Police Service and Saskatoon Search and Rescue can then use receiversto find the missing person.

"There's one that can be vehicle-mounted," said Kent Orosz with Saskatoon Search and Rescue.

"The range on those is about a quarter mile from the bracelets. The directional receivers we have used on foot are good for a mile."

Cases on the rise

SSARsays that over the past four years, 75 per cent of their calls have come from people known to wander.

Police Supt.Brian Shalovelosaid missing persons calls involving people with dementia and Alzheimer's are on the rise in the city.

Wednesday's announcement comes two weeks after the RCMPsaid a man walked out of a care home located 10 kilometres from Prince Albert and was found dead the next day on a grid road.

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While the circumstances of that incident are unknown,"In general, Project Lifesaver Saskatoon is geared exactly for that sort of situation," said Orosz.

"If someone has a history of wandering, or is likely to wander, then they would be enrolled in the program."

How to enrol

If you think your loved one could benefit from the program, a doctor's note or letter is needed.

Project Lifesaver will come to your home and outfit the person with the transmitter, and take note of the coordinates of the home and also any hazards surrounding it that may injure a wandering person.

SSARuses volunteers who will assist Saskatoon police, the Saskatoon Emergency Measures Organization and the RCMP in the event of a search or rescue of a missing person.