LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A high-tech wristband is giving peace of mind to Louisville families whose loved ones are at risk of wandering off.

Most people wear their Apple Watch around the clock, and Project Lifesaver works the same way. Users put on a wristband that can't be easily pulled off. That's where the tracking device is stored.

"This way, it's on their body all the time, no matter what they're wearing," said Amber Devine-Stinson, a board member of the Jefferson County Search Dog Association. 

Devine-Stinson is a speech therapist who works with kids who have autism. She's a huge advocate for Project Lifesaver after two of her beloved patients, Shalom Lawson and Walker Weeks, drowned, the leading cause of death among autistic children.

"When Shalom went missing, it took 18 hours to find him 100 yards from the house," Devine-Stinson said.

Lawson was only 8 years old when he passed away. Devine-Stinson believes the weather was a huge barrier for search efforts.

"... because it rained, which got rid of the scent for the dogs," she said. "Helicopters had to come down. Drones came down."

However, rain isn't an issue for Project Lifesaver. It uses a receiver and transmitter to help law enforcement find a missing person. Typically, it's for those with Autism, Dementia, Alzheimer's disease or are prone to wandering off.

"Project Lifesaver is used for any individual of any age — so a child with a brain injury, Down syndrome or anything like that," Devine-Stinson said.

She said it's more reliable than GPS because it uses a radio frequency.

"It works in wooded areas," Devine-Stinson said. "It works in crowded, busy streets in the city and inside buildings. You don't have to worry about losing a signal."

Family members can request a waterproof bracelet from the JCSDA. To get in contact about Project Lifesaver, click here.

If the person wearing the bracelet goes missing, officials can ping their location within a 1-mile radius to focus the search area.

"It cuts down the time it takes to find individuals from hours to usually 30 minutes or less," Devine-Stinson said. "Especially after what happened earlier this week, so many parents are just grateful to have the resource."

So far, 36 people have joined the program. JCSDA has covered the cost of their wristbands, which is $400 each. Some of that funding came from The Molly Johnson Foundation and Kosair for Kids.

However, the nonprofit needs more funds to pay for those still on the waitlist.

"When it comes to safety, every minute counts," Devine-Stinson.

JCSDA is a nonprofit that provides search and rescue services in nine counties in Kentucky counties and six in southern Indiana:

  • Kentucky
    • Bullitt
    • Henry
    • Jefferson
    • Meade
    • Nelson
    • Oldham
    • Shelby
    • Spencer
    • Trimble
  • Southern Indiana
    • Clark
    • Crawford
    • Floyd
    • Harrison
    • Scott
    • Washington

To find out which departments nationwide use Project Lifesaver, click here. To get in contact with the Jefferson County Search Dog Association about Project Lifesaver, click here.

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