Rocky Mountain Tracking

Daily GPS News

GPS Tracking Device or Cell Phone

November 6th, 2009

By Greg Bartlett

With the development of GPS technology over the past decade, many people are seeing the great benefits of a GPS tracking device in everyday life. However, some people want to have the benefits in the easiest way possible.

GPS Tracking & Outdoors

People know that cutting corners does not work, but often they still try it anyway. This is true in the area of GPS tracking. Real time tracking systems may seem a bit pricy to people who are just getting into the world of GPS tracking. They might think that they could save a bit of cash and just use their cell phone instead. However, people cannot expect the GPS capabilities of their cell phone to be as effective as a real time GPS tracking device.

Diana Haley discovered this first hand. She was recently stranded for an entire night after she got lost hiking in a nature preserve in Wisconsin. Although she called 911, her cell phone battery was dying and her signal was poor. The police department tried in vain to locate her using the GPS tracking device on her cell phone.The woman was rescued the next morning, but it took a helicopter, an airplane, tracking dogs, and many people to locate her.

Although your cell phone might seem to be a more convenient and cheaper option than a real time GPS tracking device, it is certainly not the most accurate and reliable option.

Real time GPS trackers have the reputation of accuracy and reliability that a cell phone with GPS capabilities cannot touch. Cell phone GPS is dependent on the signal of the cell phone as well as the battery life, both of which are not very reliable. Also, cell phones cannot pinpoint the exact location of the signal, whereas a GPS tracking device can put you within a few feet of the signal.

Even the argument that a cell phone is more convenient is not as strong as it has been in the past. Every year, GPS trackers are getting smaller and lighter, but the battery life and strong, reliable signal are remaining consistent.

The moral of the story is that if you plan on relying on GPS tracking to rescue you from any sort of peril, you need to be putting your trust in a real time GPS tracking system instead of your cell phone. It may cost you a little bit more each month, but it will be worth it in the long run.

Forced Compliance with GPS Car Tracking Systems

May 14th, 2009

By James Neely

In the realm of law enforcement, agencies tasked with enforcing laws on the books are faced with ever increasing case loads and fewer resources. The smart agency looks for ways to help in the obtaining of facts relative to on-going investigations.

One of the ways that this is possible, is with a GPS Tracking system. These affordable systems can mean the difference between obtaining an arrest warrant and having to wait for the next “right time” to see if more evidence is forthcoming.

Crime Prevention with GPS Tracking

Law enforcement use. GPS Tracking systems are being used more and more in the tracking of suspect vehicles to help establish the ‘where and when’ facts that will help the prosecution’s case against a perpetrator. Even though a search warrant is usually obtained in all of these cases, it has not yet been established that it is necessary.

Crime deterrent use. When people know that they are under surveillance, it changes their actions. It does not work for everyone, but it does for a majority of people. Just to know that you are being recorded should make you think twice about your actions.

Action verification system. If you say that you performed a task that can be verified by a GPS Tracking system, then it will be in your best interest to present factual information to substantiate the claim.
The evidentiary edge. With data from a GPS Tracking system, you legally use the data in support of your claim in a court of law. It is not pleasant to have to perform this task, but it will help keeping you from having to pay for damages for restitution caused by lack of compliance to known laws.

Holding people accountable for their actions. Being able to affect the actions of many who have shown a propensity toward illegal activities is priceless. Especially in the day and age in which we live which is littered with the cases of those who have been caught and are now serving time for their actions.
These points all are relevant to the use and implementation of GPS car tracking devices in the methods that police agencies use in order to obtain evidence in committed and on-going crimes. There is certainly room for discussion as to the legality of use, but there is no question that the devices provide invaluable information that is used in making sure laws are not broken. Or if they are, then evidence can be quickly and easily obtained.

It is this kind of attitude towards compliance with laws and rules that makes for a better world in which to live.

Vehicle Tracking Systems And Dispatch Combine To Save Lives

April 30th, 2009

By Greg Bartlett

ambulance medical emergency services

Vehicle tracking using GPS technology can now be used to save many more lives in emergency situations. Ambulances, fire trucks, and even police cruisers equipped with GPS tracking devices whose signals are monitored by dispatchers can make the response times in emergencies much shorter than they used to be.

If emergency vehicles are being monitored by dispatchers with vehicle tracking systems, it is possible to send the unit closest to an emergency, provided that unit is not already responding to a call. This could mean that an ambulance that has just dropped a patient at a hospital and is on its way back to its station could be closer to a call than the one still at the station serving that area. In this case, dispatch should send the closest unit rather than the one in the station. This move could very well make the difference between life and death.

Vehicle tracking can also be used for fire dispatch as well. Even though fire districts are drawn out on maps of the city, there are times when one station is actually closer to a fire in another district than the station supposed to serve that area. Dispatchers who are aware of the actual locations of fire trucks can dispatch the nearer units and the station that normally covers the area at the same time.

Under previous systems, the station assigned to an area would be dispatched first, then it would be up to the ranking officer on scene to request assistance if needed. Use of vehicle tracking systems could be used to send the nearest units so that many houses that have been lost in the past could have been saved by a more timely arrival of emergency response units.

Police cruisers are also better dispatched when vehicle tracking systems are used. Like other emergency vehicles, police are often assigned specific areas for patrol. However, there are times when a unit may be on the far side of its coverage area when an emergency arises. If this happens, and another cruiser from a neighboring area is closer to the scene, dispatchers can send in the nearer vehicle to provide for better response time. Depending on the situation, this could save many lives as well.

Vehicle tracking systems that use GPS technology can be used with much success in the area of emergency dispatch to save more lives than was possible before the advent of GPS technology.

Equestrian Safety

April 4th, 2009

By Harriette Halepis

Horses can make some of the best companions. Learning how to ride a horse means exploring your world at the whim of a semi-wild creature – what could be more exhilarating? While those that enjoy equestrian sports relish the thought of riding into the sunset, sometimes accidents can happen at the worst possible moments. When a person on horseback takes a tumble, the consequences are often more than slightly dire.

Clydesdale

Since most horses tend to be a great deal taller than most riders, falling from a horse can mean a lot of broken bones. In some cases it can even mean spinal injuries. If this type of accident occurs inside of a ring, then emergency aid can be applied right away. However, the rider that falls while exploring mountainous terrain or a rocky cliff might be in for a long wait. Even if other people know the path that a rider intends to take while out for a short ride, rescue help might not arrive for hours after the initial fall. In addition, many riders are actually dragged by a startled horse causing them to veer drastically from the path at hand. In this case, looking for a rider can take more than hours… it can take days.

Most injuries of this sort must be treated right away. Otherwise, minor injuries can turn into life threatening wounds. Up until this point, there was no way for a rescue team to locate a lost rider. Today, GPS technology exists, which makes finding someone a lot easier. Some GPS trackers come with panic buttons that can be pressed in case of an emergency. Others simply track the movements of a particular person, which can be very helpful if that person has not returned to their original destination at the expected time. Both trackers are lightweight, easily portable, and life-saving.

Should you fall off of a horse during a ride, it is best not to move at all. Do not try to get up, walk, or crawl in any direction if you think that you may have suffered major injuries. Most injuries must be kept immobile if they are to heal at all. Instead, stay where you have fallen, wait for help to arrive, and then try to explain to rescue workers the exact cause of your accident. If you happen to have a GPS tracker on you at the time of your fall, then you shouldn’t have to wait too long for help to arrive. Horseback riding can be a lot of fun, but it can also be dangerous. Make sure that you carry a GPS tracker with you on your next ride…you never know when you might fall from high.

GPS Tracking Saves a Hiker – My Story

April 4th, 2009

By Jonathan Tipton

Hiking One of my favorite things to do in the early spring is go up to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park in the North-western section of Ontario. Sleeping Giant has many trails and is an amazing source for seeing wildlife up close. My story is about nature getting too close and how my GPS tracking device allowed me to survive. I have been going to “the Giant” for some years now, and I like to go off-trail to see what I can discover.

Two summers ago, what I found was a bear cub unattended. I stupidly thought this would make an ideal photo and began snapping away. The cub was happily playing alone across a clearing in the woods while I took my pictures. Unfortunately, I didn’t pay attention to the wind until I heard a bellowing roar from the other side and saw the mother bear charging at me. Have you ever heard the joke about how you only have to outrun your companions? Well, when you’re alone, you have to outrun the bear!

I fled for my life, running blindly away from the 700 lb. killing machine that was in hot pursuit. Zigzagging may be what is recommended by the experts, but I found that afternoon that it slows your escape and allows the bear to close the distance much too quickly. In my dash, I didn’t notice that I was coming close to the sheer cliffs until it was too late. I was forced into a skidding turn to avoid plunging over the edge, only to trip and fall into a deep fissure in the top of the cliff. This probably saved my life. I got banged up pretty badly from the fall, but wasn’t seriously hurt and the bear couldn’t get to me. She tried, she kept trying to swat at me for what seemed like an eternity until she gave up and returned to her baby.

I stayed stuck in my hole for a few hours, too afraid to move. But as the sun began to go down, I knew that I had to get out of the park or else I could freeze during the night. My escape had taken me a long way from where I was and I didn’t recognize any of the landmarks when I emerged. Luckily one of the things I always carry with me is a GPS tracking device. I like to use it with google maps to see where I have been in the park. I called the 1-800 number that came with the device and asked to speak to an operator. The young lady who came on the line was pleasant and very helpful.

I explained my predicament and asked if she would be able to use my GPS tracking device to help me navigate out of the woods. With her assistance I was able to determine my current location and began the slow process of finding my way to the ranger’s station. I don’t know what the standard procedure is in these situations, but she called ahead to the park wardens to inform them I was coming and promised to call me every 20 minutes to check on my progress. Her updates helped me to make course corrections and allowed me to get to the safety of the station in good time, without suffering through the cold night. My GPS tracking device was a lifesaver! For more informaiton about tracking devices, call Rocky Mountain Tracking at 888-242-0500.

Everyday Heroes Meet Cutting Edge Technology

April 2nd, 2009

By Greg Bartlett

Law Enforcement

Policemen are the everyday heroes. They’re the soldiers against domestic crime. Every day a policeman somewhere risks everything to protect the life or property of citizens like you and me. What if we could make their job a little easier simply by making use of an already existing technology? What if we could give our policemen an edge over the criminals they are pitted against every day? With GPS tracking devices, we can do exactly that.

The developing technology of GPS tracking allows remote location of a person or object by following a signal emitted by the GPS transmitter. One of the most common applications of this idea is to place a GPS tracking device in an object or on a person, allowing that object or person to easily be followed in the case of theft or kidnapping. In addition, equipping police cars with GPS transmitters allows a dispatch center to be aware of the location of each car at all times. When multiple cars are needed to follow or surround a subject, knowledge of each car’s location allows for greater efficiency and safety on the part of all the officers.

If you’ve ever listened to a police radio, you know that every message that comes across the airwaves carries potential danger for the responding officer. Each officer relies on his colleagues to back him up in those dangerous situations. GPS tracking devices can help officers work in tandem in a way that they would be unable to do without it. An armed robbery suspect drives his car into the woods. Ten police cars follow closely behind. Their search can be greatly expedited by knowing which roads are blocked by other officers, which areas have been covered and cleared, and how far they are from the next police car. A little girl wanders away from home, carrying her Hannah Montana backpack. The frantic mother assures police that the backpack had a GPS tracking device implanted in case of just such an emergency. In a fraction of the time it would otherwise take, the lost little one is reunited with her family.

We all value and respect the police officers who risk their lives to keep us safe. We can make their jobs easier by being aware of the technology that’s available through GPS tracking devices and implementing it when we can. It’s a great way to say thank you to our everyday heroes. For more information about GPS, visit http://www.RMTracking.com.

Why Track Your Children?

March 29th, 2009

By Harriette Halepis

www.RMTracking.com

One of the biggest fears within the minds of parents is that their children will get hurt. Whether they are at school, outside playing, or at a friend’s house, this concern is a real one. Parents are also wary of being “helicopter parents,” constantly hovering over their children and making sure they are safe while preventing their children from having any fun. How can this seemingly impenetrable dichotomy be resolved? GPS tracking can help.

GPS sensors, which can be placed on belt loops or sewn into clothing, keep a close eye on children when parents simply can’t. If a child, for instance, is out playing, and the GPS system shows that the child hasn’t moved for a while, then parents will not only know that something is awry, but they will also know where their child can be located. GPS technology, almost paradoxically with all of its “Big Brother” connotations, allows children more freedom. If a child wants to go bicycling with the neighbor kids, parents with GPS technology can rest easy knowing that if something occurs to their child, they will be the very first to know. In the event of an emergency, GPS simply provides more time for action. Those extra few minutes are crucial in the event of an emergency.

GPS can also help if (heaven forbid) a child is abducted by a predator. The first question rushing through the frantic mind of a parent in that situation is, “Where is my child?!” GPS answers that question in a few seconds. Many children who have been hurt by predators in the past could have been protected with GPS technology, and with the modern affordability of GPS technology, many children will be saved by the technology. Imagine if GPS had been involved in some of the more famous stories of child abductions. These horrific stories would not have been told at all. Fortunately, with GPS, these stories can all but be eliminated from the future.

Being a parent is stressful enough. Why worry about the safety of children? GPS technology frees the psyche of the stress involved in worrying about children’s safety and allows the mind to focus on more positive and productive things, such as caring and nurturing for the emotional life of one’s children. Concern for the safety of one’s children will never be erased completely – it’s a natural part of being a parent, and it is healthy. However, GPS systems help not only to ease that stress, but also to allow the parent to act responsibly and proactively in the case of an emergency.

GPS is Much More than Navigation

March 22nd, 2009

By Greg Bartlett

Almost everyone is familiar with the onboard GPS navigation systems being marketed for vehicles. These systems are able to provide drivers with real time turn by turn directions to get from point A to point B. What many people may not realize is that GPS has many other uses in a vehicle. GPS tracking is much more than simply navigation.

GPS technology is now being used to protect cars and trucks. Devices are being installed in vehicles that can send out a signal retrievable by a computer with an active internet connection in the event of vehicle theft. Once the theft is realized by the owner, the GPS signal can be used to locate the vehicle and pass that information on to the proper authorities. For vehicles in motion, the method of tracking the signal can be provided to police to aid them in locating and recovering the vehicle.

GPS tracking is also being linked to sensors in cars that let the system know when an accident has occurred. In many cases, if the driver is unconscious or incapacitated, the car can alert authorities to the accident and the location so that emergency crews can be dispatched. This facet of GPS tracking has saved many lives in the past few years.

Businesses are using GPS car tracker to monitor their fleets of company owned vehicles and to route drivers and technicians to their next call. The data is used to adjust routes driven by employees to maximize fuel economy and to reduce the amount of territory that is being covered repeatedly by more than one driver. In addition, dispatchers have the ability to route drivers to a new location based on who is closest rather than who is available first. This can lead to a great deal of money savings for business.

Vehicle tracking devices are being used more and more all the time. People are finding a great many ways to save money by using the data supplied by the GPS devices. They are also finding a better safety system that can save lives by letting emergency personnel know exactly where to locate a vehicle following an accident.

GPS navigation is a convenience many drivers are coming to rely on heavily for getting around in strange locations. There is, however, a lot more to GPS car tracking technology than simply navigation. The benefits of GPS technology are varied and many for individuals and businesses alike.

Rain or Shine – GPS Tracking Works Anytime

March 22nd, 2009

By Harriette Halepis

For some reason, most of us never think of the future in stormy terms. When we picture what we might do today or tomorrow, we always tend to think of these events as being held in perfect weather. Even for those that think about potential accidents, the thought of snow, rain, ice, or other weather never seems to cross our minds. However, the truth is that most accidents and incidents happen when the skies are less than picture perfect blue.

Whether a car accident or a pedestrian accident, most collisions of any kind occur amidst lousy weather. Cars careen around corners during windy snowstorms. Pedestrians are hit by cars while crossing the street during a rainstorm. Bicycles often wind up entangled with cars when the clouds are covering the sky. Massive car pile-ups happen when the weather is unexpected and treacherous. It is rare to hear of an accident occurring on a sunny day. This is not to say that days filled with sunshine can’t be dangerous, but accidents are far less likely to happen under these weather circumstances.

When bad weather does cause an accident, most people are completely unprepared for the aftermath. Hardly any motorists carry emergency kits in their cars. Most cyclists never bother to take anything with them on a trek, and pedestrians aren’t likely to think about accidents while crossing a street. The amazing thing is that you can be prepared for whatever comes your way with a bit of planning. Always carry a first aid kit inside of your car or with you on your bicycle. Make sure to bring identification cards with you if you plan to cross busy streets. Lastly, consider carrying a GPS tracking device on you at all times – it could save your life.

Most GPS tracking devises are weather resistant. This means that your GPS tracker can be out in the cold, underneath the pouring rain, or stuck in a snow bank, and it will still work. Sometimes accidents don’t happen the way that we imagine them. If you wind up in an accident and you can’t call for help, make sure that your GPS tracker can withstand the elements. While we never picture accidents happening on perfect days, we also never think about what might happen if an accident sight cannot be located. With innovative, weather-proof, GPS tracking systems, you’ll always be prepared for any kind of stormy weather.

CPR and GPS – The Acronyms that Saved a Stranger

March 21st, 2009

By Greg Bartlett

It was an unusually dark night. My dad and I had decided to take a narrow country road to cut through a lot of twists and turns on the highway. We were traveling home from a family get together. We hit a long corner and somehow ended up slamming into a speeding car coming the other way. For the most part we were ok, but we could tell that the car was wreaked. I’m glad I had my cell phone.

When we got out we saw that the driver was in real bad shape. I pulled him to the side of the road and told my dad to call for an ambulance. I had never been in a crash before, and I was panicking…what do you do? Luckily, the other driver was still breathing. I ran to the back of my truck and got my first aid kit. I bandaged up the gash on his head and just watched him.

My dad had no idea where we were and neither did I. We were both very shaken up by the ordeal and the stretch of road we were on is about fifty miles long. I heard my dad trying to tell the ambulance dispatcher where we were and that was when I remembered the cell phone tracking capability my cell phone has. The cell phone’s location was then pinpointed by the dispatcher and our location was immediately known.

While we waited for the ambulance, I stayed with the injured driver. He was unconscious, but breathing. I was really hoping that he would be able to pull through, but he was a mess. As far out as we are a great emergency response time would be 45 minutes. The ambulance arrived in just under an hour. Before they left one of the EMTs came over and said that it was a good thing they had gotten there that quickly. The other guy was bleeding internally, it was still dicey but if they hadn’t been able to find us so quickly he would’ve died while we watched.

After this incident, I can’t be more thankful that I carried my cell phone with me. Without it, I really don’t know what would have happened. Who would’ve thought a cell phone with cell phone tracking could have saved someone’s life? I firmly believe that it is vitally important to always keep your phone with cell phone tracking in your car at all times. Tell those you love!