The Evolution of Safety Technology: AngelSense vs. Project Lifesaver
Updated on December 29, 2024 Listen to the PodcastProtecting vulnerable populations—such as individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD), autism, or dementia—is a priority shared by families and law enforcement agencies. Tools like Project Lifesaver have long been valuable in crisis situations, helping law enforcement locate and reunite missing individuals with their loved ones. AngelSense revolutionizes the approach to safety. It shifts the focus from merely reacting to emergencies to empowering families and communities to take control, preventing dangerous situations before they unfold.
Understanding the Basics
- Project Lifesaver is a program that uses radio-frequency technology with a tracking bracelet. It relies on a team of trained search and rescue personnel to locate individuals after they’ve gone missing.
- AngelSense is an assistive technology designed for individuals with special needs. It enables caregivers to proactively manage and prevent wandering incidents before they escalate, reducing the need for police involvement.
Proactive vs. Reactive Monitoring
- Project Lifesaver is reactive by design. It requires a search to begin only once someone is already missing. The technology depends on proximity, meaning that search teams need to be within range to detect the individual. Without a strong lead on where to begin the search, the process can be time-consuming, increasing the risk of delayed recovery and potentially dangerous outcomes. Sgt. Harrington from the Burlington Sheriff’s Office, NJ, highlighted:
Searching was very difficult. Radio waves can bounce off of buildings and send inaccurate signals. Their range is only a mile and a half at most. The strength of the signal emitted depended on battery strength as well.
– Sgt. Harrington, Burlington Sheriff’s Office, NJ
- AngelSense offers proactive monitoring. Using AI-powered GPS, it sends real-time alerts when individuals enter unsafe or unfamiliar areas, allowing caregivers to intervene before a potential incident occurs. This proactive approach prevents wandering incidents from escalating into emergencies.
Cost and Time Efficiency
- Project Lifesaver requires dedicated resources to operate effectively. Specialized training for search teams, as well as personnel for ongoing device maintenance such as battery replacements, are essential for the program’s success.
Our officers were required to change the batteries every 30 days or if we received a call about a battery being dead. I’d estimate at least 25% of my battery changes were dead batteries during their regularly scheduled 30 day visit, and the family had no idea. There is no low battery indicator. Also when our families would go on vacation, we would transfer the client profile to the nearest agency to where they were staying. In some instances it would be a couple counties away creating a very delayed response.
– Sgt. Harrington, Burlington Sheriff’s Office, NJ
- AngelSense shifts control to families and caregivers. It offers a cost-effective solution by proactively monitoring individuals and minimizing the need for intervention. When assistance is required, it’s easy and intuitive—live location can be instantly shared via SMS or email to any smartphone or tablet, enabling any officer to access real-time tracking without special training. This streamlined process saves time and effort while empowering families to handle most situations independently.
Advanced Communication and Support
- Project Lifesaver does not offer any communication features. Its sole function is to assist search teams in locating the individual, leaving a critical gap in immediate, on-the-spot support for those at risk.
Families do not have a way of tracking the device if the child wanders.
– Sgt. Harrington, Burlington Sheriff’s Office, NJ
- AngelSense enhances situational management by providing an assistive speakerphone with one-way and two-way communication. This feature enables caregivers to immediately connect with the individual, offering reassurance or guidance during high-stress moments such as meltdowns or confusion.
A New Era in Safety
Project Lifesaver has been a cornerstone in public safety, providing essential support to families and law enforcement for decades. Its radio-frequency technology and reliance on trained search teams have proven life-saving in countless emergencies. However, as safety needs evolve, so must the tools we use to address them.
AngelSense represents a new era in safety solutions, combining proactive prevention with innovative features like AI-powered GPS tracking, easily shared real-time location, auto-pickup speakerphone, and remotely activated alarm. It empowers caregivers to act swiftly and decisively, often preventing incidents from escalating into emergencies.
By shifting from reactive to proactive safety, AngelSense not only protects vulnerable individuals but also reduces the stress on families and the demand on community resources. With its modern approach to preventing wandering and enhancing independence, AngelSense is setting a new standard for safety technology, designed to meet the challenges of today and the future.
Get peace of mind from AngelSense, the groundbreaking AI-based assistive technology designed to enhance safety and peace of mind for individuals with special needs and their families. Our solution ensures you stay connected with your loved ones, empowering a higher level of independence while maintaining safety. Learn more about how AngelSense can make a difference for your family.
