GPS Tracking Device

What could be a worse nightmare than being lost in a Florida swamp—alligator territory—for four days and nights? It could be worse if it were your child, with Asperger’s syndrome (a type of pervasive development disorder, PDD), lost and alone in a Florida swamp—alligator territory—for four days and nights.

For the Bloom family, this nightmare was their life last month while rescuers searched frantically for their 11-year-old daughter Nadia. Nadia was found by a neighbor and friend from church and miraculously, had only suffered bug bites and dehydration; in spite of the fact that rescuers were inclined to believe that the missing child was probably no longer alive after what seemed like an eternity in that environment.

What are some symptoms of Asperger’s? Symptoms of Asperger’s include problems with social skills; eccentric/repetitive behavior; unusual preoccupation or rituals; communication difficulties; limited range of interests; coordination problems; and perhaps exceptional skills or talents in a specific area. And while these symptoms don’t sound particularly dangerous, in Nadia’s case, her preoccupation with nature (she had taken her camera to get wildlife shots) nearly cost her life.

This news story had many wondering about the benefits of GPS tracking. For children with Asperger’s, autism, or other disorders, GPS tracking devices could save their lives. For their caregivers, it could provide an extra measure of security and peace of mind. While the man that found Nadia, James King, was able to locate her without a GPS, it certainly was a miracle.

Although rescuers used his cell phone to track their location to assist, they were still unable to locate them exactly until King climbed a tree and threw a roll of toilet paper in order for the rescue helicopter to pinpoint their exact location.

Imagine how a GPS tracker could have reduced the danger and anxiety for all those involved. GPS batteries generally last up to 90 days, and the location can be tracked with greater accuracy than with phones. A receiver worn by the individual is tracked by a system of approximately 24 satellites that orbit the earth and downloads the latitude and longitude to the internet or mobile device. Up-to-the-minute information is readily available, with some systems refreshing every 1 to 5 seconds. There are many functions of a GPS, like geofencing, that can also be used to set boundaries for your child and actually notify you when the child has crossed the geographical limits that you set.

Even if your child doesn’t have any diagnosed disorders that would make them more likely to wander away, consider the extra measure of safety and peace of mind provided by always knowing the exact location of your child.