Rocky Mountain Tracking

By DONNA SANTI / guest columnist

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-          Donna Santi is a creative writer for LandAirSea Systems, a Woodstock, IL-based manufacturer and distributor of expertly-engineered GPS tracking systems, software and accessories. For information about LandAirSea, visit www.landairsea.com. To contact the writer, email donna.santi@landairsea.com

As the tolls of dead and injured from the Jan. 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti keep rising, aid workers are organizing in the impoverished Caribbean nation for the grim task of recovering bodies from the rubble.

A representative from the American Red Cross who arrived at Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti near the epicenter, said the disaster was worse than he had imagined. Those who perished could number in the hundreds of thousands. There is inadequate hospital space for all the injured. Thousands of homes are flattened, many of them dangerous, rickety shacks.

Officials are appealing for medical care, trained rescue teams and everyday items used for comfort and well-being like diapers, water, clothing, shoes and blankets.

The world’s first glimpses into the 7.0 magnitude devastation were in videos Haitians posted on Twitter and YouTube. Celebrities urged their Twitter fans to text donations from their mobile devices and $1 million was pledged to one nonprofit in just one day. It proves that technology is firmly entrenched in our lives. The worldwide grasp even extends to a small, underdeveloped country like Haiti.

So it is almost certain that GPS tracking systems will be among the tools in the cleanup. How will GPS tracking devices be used to put the toppled Caribbean nation back on its feet?

It is unlikely any GPS tracking devices are transmitting their location coordinates from under feet of concrete, metal and wood, serving as beacons to people in need of aid. Haiti is an impoverished nation. Natives of Haiti average about $2 a day in wages. The average citizen would not own a cell phone, let alone an independent GPS tracking device.

But GPS tracking is also a great tool for law enforcement and search and rescue teams during natural disasters because it can pinpoint locations of receivers within a couple of feet of accuracy. Those watching the recovery efforts probably will see or hear about GPS technology being used for its locating and mapping qualities. GPS tracking has become an important part of all kinds of emergency response missions, from directing emergency vehicles to finding bodies.

In the days immediately following a natural disaster of this magnitude, confusion usually ensues. Massive groups of volunteers might lack leadership. The same buildings might be searched over and over while others remain untouched. Bodies could be counted twice or more. Then there is the language barrier (most Haitians speak Creole).

How GPS Might Help in Haiti:

• Vehicle tracking devices could be installed in all emergency response and volunteer mobile units for an emergency fleet management program. Rescue coordinators could easily identify and monitor all their vehicles at the same time on a digital map. The application could be accessed by others in the field via laptop computers.
• GPS tracking and locating services can be used to map out the area of destruction and then divide it into a geographic grid so rescue efforts are maximized rather than duplicated.
• Rescuers can be issued GPS-enabled handhelds. The volunteers could note and geotag search areas that must later be revisited. Rubble is rubble, unless each pile is distinguished by its own, unique GPS location coordinates. Helpers in the field could note the location of landmarks, human fatalities, physical hazards, etc. and they will be known to all by their latitude and longitude indexes. In 2001 during 9/11, GPS tracking was just coming into common use, yet it was invaluable for the Herculean task of identifying body parts and personal belongings in New York.
• Special equipment and software could be created to integrate GPS with other technologies such infrared, night vision or heat-detecting cameras (or remote-controlled robots!) to infiltrate or get into the rubble where an average size human could not without considerable digging and effort.
• Disaster relief sites such as first aid, water, emergency shelter and public address stations could be identified by GPS tracking and locating services and people could be accurately and quickly guided to those areas, regardless of their point of origin.
• Rescuers trapped under a fresh structural collapse are more likely to be found if they are carrying GPS-equipped mobile devices.

Embrace Technology

As impersonal as technology might seem to some people, it could also be said that it has a unifying quality. It works on an international scale and makes the physical distances between us seem to disappear. Only in this modern age, with the Internet, text messaging, Twitter, YouTube, wireless cellular communications and Global Positioning System satellites, could disaster strike in a remote area of the world, and then help arrive within hours of that tragedy.

By Greg Bartlett

Pet owners across the nation spend billions of dollars each year to provide their beloved animals with the best in food, shelter, and living arrangements. Some take pride in maintaining a wardrobe for their precious pooch that rivals the owner’s own, while others pay exorbitant prices for doggie day care and spas. For some, Fido is a member of the family and while he may not eat at the table, he still receives the same fare the family eats. All of these lavish endowments mean nothing, however, if a thief nabs the family dog or cat from the backyard.

Some breeds of dogs and cats sell for high prices, and for this reason they have become the target of a certain breed of thief. Small dogs such as yorkies and other terriers are among the most stolen animals because they are small, easily concealable and expensive. Pet owners who want to ensure that their animal family members are protected can equip them with a GPS tracking device. The devices monitor location and allow the owner to see where their pets are at any given time. Most of the transmitters designed for animals can be attached to a collar and send signals at specified intervals to keep the owner apprised of the pet’s location.

A GPS tracking device performs double duty for pets by not only helping catch a would-be thief, but also helping to locate an animal that runs away or becomes lost. Thousands of animals are brought to pet shelters each year, and very few ever make it back to their original owners. A GPS tracking device can ensure that your beloved pet never meets this fate. If your animal does become lost, you can log on to your computer and instantly locate him. For dogs and cats that are prone to running away, the devices could be life saving.

While some consider a GPS tracking device to be an expensive investment, the money spent pales in comparison not only to the animal’s value to your family, but also in comparison to the money that is spent on feeding, boarding, and otherwise providing for your four-legged friend. Dogs and cats are more than just animals to their owners; they are family members and deserve the greatest level of protection you can give them. With GPS tracking, you never need to worry about posting a “Lost Dog” sign in your neighborhood again.

By Greg Bartlett

Have you ever ordered something and then waited impatiently for it to arrive? You check the internet regularly to see where the package is, waiting for updates as your package slowly travels closer to you each day. But sometimes the shipping company doesn’t update the status, and sometimes your package is even lost. Perhaps you’re sending something to a friend overseas, or maybe you’re mailing off an irreplaceable family heirloom to a cousin in another state. Sometimes, shipping items can make you feel uneasy, not to mention your impatience and anticipation while you’re waiting for your package to arrive.

Some shipping companies now provide tracking through GPS devices. Items that are tracked can be monitored by the shipping company, the sender, and the receiver. You can now know exactly where your package is at all times. Packages which are lost or stolen can now be located through GPS tracking devices and recovered.

Companies and individuals who transport expensive or irreplaceable items should especially consider using GPS tracking when they ship items. Now you no longer have to wait for employees to update the database and let you know where your package is – you can find it yourself. You can find out if it has arrived, if it is delayed, or if it is going to arrive early.

Shipping overseas can be especially risky. Perhaps you are moving overseas and want to bring your belongings with you, but you have to ship them in containers. If the containers are lost, you will not only have to pay to replace your belongings, but you will be stranded in another country without the items you counted on having. If you have GPS devices installed in your containers, however, you can locate your belongings and recover them if they are lost.

GPS devices can help the sender, receiver, and the shipping company. In addition to providing security for the items being shipping and peace of mind for both the sender and receiver, GPS tracking can help companies estimate arrival times, monitor equipment, and reduce costs. Since lost packages means lost money – for both the owner and the shipping company – packages that are monitored with GPS devices can effectively save money and can protect valuable resources. If your package is being monitored with a GPS tracker, you can wait in anticipation for your package – but your wait is worry-free.

By Greg Bartlett

You may have a large family or a small family. You may live in big town or a small city. Either way, it is important to you to know where your family is at all times. You’re busy at work, your kids have their school agendas to balance with their recreational activities, and everyone seems to be going in different directions. So how can you make sure that you know where your family is? Whether you want to just check up on your teenagers to make sure they are where they said they would be, or whether you want to ensure the safety of an elderly relative, you need a way to keep track of your family members.

A GPS tracking device offers an effective, non-intrusive, and fairly inexpensive way to track your family members. GPS devices allow you to see where your family members are and give you the option to receive automated messages when a family member reaches a destination, doesn’t show up on time, or changes plans.

One GPS tracking program monitors everyone in the same family cell phone plan through their cell phones. It gives the users access to customizable maps which can include items such as landmarks and frequently visited places. Users are able to switch between a street view and a satellite view. Alerts can be set up so that, for instance, parents are notified when children return from school or a wife is alerted when her husband has to stay late at work. Periodic reminder text messages are sent to the people being watched, although users can check up on family members without notifying them. Users can also choose to let family members know every time their location is verified through GPS technology.

GPS tracking is fairly affordable even for large families. For instance, the program which offers tracking through cell phones charges about $10-$15 per month. Another program has fees as low as $5 a month. Many programs offer similar rates, depending on the type of device and the number of devices used.

Whether you’re concerned about your teenager, wondering if your spouse is faithful, worried about your elderly relative, needing to keep track of your children’s schedule, or you just want to be aware of the location of your family members, GPS tracking devices offers a reliable and effective means of keeping track of your family.

By Greg Bartlett

A few months ago, one of our dogs continually disappeared. We live out in the country, so we weren’t too worried about him being hit by a car, but his disappearances still concerned us. We would look all over our property, drive down our streets, and still be unable to find our dog. We were worried – not just because he’s a registered dog and we use him for breeding, but because he’s a part of our family. He’s a pet and a friend that we don’t want to lose.

Fortunately, our searches always ended happily. We found our dog and discovered that he’d made friends with a neighbor who would regularly feed him, thus encouraging his repeat visits. But for many people who lose their pets, the story doesn’t end happily. Their dog may have been run over by a car and killed, may have been stolen, or may have just wandered too far away and gotten lost.

Of course people take preventative measures to protect their dogs. They put up fences, keep the dogs inside or on a leash, and try to prevent the dog’s escape. Sometimes, however, your pet will escape despite all your efforts. But instead of rushing around frantically trying to locate your pet, you can use GPS tracking systems to find your dog immediately.

GPS tracking systems offer devices that are small enough to fit comfortably onto your pet’s collar. With a tracking device on the collar, your pet can’t go anywhere without your knowledge. Most GPS systems are set up so that you can set the boundaries for your pet. If your dog manages to escape predetermined areas, such as your yard, you will instantly receive a text message or phone call, depending on how the alert is set up. You may be able to find your dog before it gets very far, but if not, the GPS tracking systems will lead you straight to where your pet is located. You can use a detailed map that shows you exactly where to find your pet and some programs even give you driving directions while you go to pick up your pet.

Whether your dog has been stolen or has just wandered off, you want to be able to find it again, and find it quickly. It’s not just a pet, it’s a part of your family. With GPS tracking systems, you can locate and recover your lost pet with no frantic searching necessary.

By Greg Bartlett

Today, it seem like everyone has a cell phone, and some people have difficulty tearing themselves away from their cell phones. Cell phones have become a part of our lives, whether for the convenience of talking to your friends, the security of having a phone with you, the assistance phones provide for your business ventures, or however you use your phone, it’s hard to imagine life without one.

So what happens if your phone is stolen? Besides the problems of someone using up your minutes and making numerous or expensive calls, the hassle of dealing with the phone company to get everything straightened out, and the expense of buying a new phone, there are other details which may not be evident at first but are equally disrupting. You may end up losing your entire list of contacts, some of which you only had stored in your phone. You will probably lose the pictures you took on that last date, the text messages from all your friends, and the record of any calls you’ve made or received recently. Whether you use your phone for personal or business purposes – or both – losing your cell phone can be disastrous.

GPS software will allow you to find out where your phone is at all times. This can be useful if you’ve lent your phone to someone, if you’re tracking someone on the same phone plan, or if your phone is lost or stolen. Maybe you’re the type of person who just tends to mislay things. Or perhaps your phone has been stolen, and you don’t want to have to pay to replace it and to deal with reentering your contacts and losing all the information on the phone. No matter what your reason for wanting your phone back, GPS devices can do the job for you.

NavIQ Mobile is one of the cell phone tracking programs designed primarily to track family members, also allows users to locate lost or stolen cell phones. Maybe your teenager wanted a very expensive phone, but has mislaid it. No need for you or your teenager to worry about the cost of replacing the phone – the GPS device in the phone can find it for you. And if your phone is stolen, it can be tracked down and recovered so that you don’t lose your information or investment.

A cell phone may be a small piece of equipment, but it can make a big difference in your life. Use a GPS tracker to keep track of your phone so that your contacts, messages, and pictures are safe.

By Greg Bartlett

Your loved one may suffer from dementia, tuberculosis, Alzheimer’s, or any one of a number of health issues. You aren’t just worried about your loved one’s health and physical well being, but about their location. If your loved one wanders off and gets lost, how will anyone be able to help if a need arises?

More and more, doctors are recommending GPS car tracking devices for some of their patients. For instance, tuberculosis can be highly infectious, but rather than keep the patient locked up away from everyone else, a GPS device can be used to monitor the patient’s location and ensure that no one else is in danger of being infected. One individual with tuberculosis was almost put in prison because of the health danger he posed to the community, but instead a GPS system can provided a better alternative. The individual lived at home while health professionals monitored him and his activities.

Doctors are also beginning to use GPS tracking devices with dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. At least a third of individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s regularly get lost, and around twenty-five percent of patients are sometimes locked out of their houses by family members who don’t know realize that the patient is outside of the house. For instance, one elderly patient in Florida with Alzheimer’s recently wandered off, but was quickly located by family members through a GPS system before he had gone very far.

Patients can also be kept out of nursing homes or hospitals since the family members feel more capable of safely and effectively caring for the patients. They no longer have to feel the stress of not knowing if their loved ones are safe since all they have to do is check with the GPS system to discover where their loved ones are.

GPS tracking devices allow and family members and health professionals to be notified by a phone call or text message if patients go outside a specified area, such as their regular daily track. Family members and health professionals can monitor the individuals and their locations through GPS systems, thus protecting patients from getting lost and separated from the help they need.

You no longer need to spend nights worrying about the safety of your loved ones. With GPS tracking devices, your family members with health issues can live independent lives while still at home and can have the freedom to go where they want while still being safely monitored.

By Greg Bartlett

All large ships, whether they haul cargo or passengers, are equipped with GPS tracking devices that allow them to navigate accurately no matter how far from land or what time of day or night. These GPS tracking devices also provide a way to locate these ships in the event of an emergency, so that help can arrive in time.

Many people do not realize that they can have GPS tracking devices installed in their small personal or pleasure boats much like the ones commonly used in automobiles. What’s more, they do not realize that they can get many of the exact benefits from using GPS to track their boat as they realize with their car.

A boat that is equipped with a GPS tracking device can be traced and located in a matter of minutes in the event of a theft. Maritime authorities can overtake and capture the boat, arresting the thief very soon thereafter. If the boat is damaged and sinks, the insurance company can have it refloated and repaired instead of having to pay out the full replacement value of the craft.

If there is an emergency on board, help can be summoned to the exact location of the boat without having to search a wide area of water to find it. This can be the difference between life and death in a medical emergency.

In addition to the above named benefits of having GPS tracking devices in boats, insurance companies will often extend discounts off the premiums paid to insure the boat if there is a working GPS device on board. This is because the insurance companies know that they can save a great deal of money in claims based on the use of the GPS tracking system.

If these benefits sound familiar, it is probably because most of these benefits are extended to people who have GPS vehicle tracking devices installed in their cars and trucks. The logic is the same for the insurance companies. They will not have to spend as much on claims because the odds of recovery are much better when a vehicle has a tracking device installed than not. There is also the added bonus of being able to get help to an accident scene, even if the driver is unable to speak or make a phone call, which has saved many lives.

By Harriette Halepis

Fine art heists aren’t just for the movies. Numerous pieces of art are stolen everyday from galleries, museums, and private collections all over the world. While most of us only hear about those robberies that actually resemble Hollywood, the truth of the matter is that art is transported and moved around every single day. Various collections are shipped from one museum or gallery to another frequently. Often, these transported items become lost during shipment – most of them are never seen again. With a GPS tracker attached to these items, it would be a lot harder for any work of art to vanish into thin air.

GPS trackers are so small that they can literally be attached to any painting, vase, or other type of artwork. In fact, these trackers can be installed without anyone knowing about them. This is perfect if you are attempting to keep a valuable collection from falling into the wrong hands. If you happen to own a collection, run a gallery, or have anything at all to do with the transportation of fine art, then you might want to consider this innovative technology.

Not only will you be able to determine exactly where your art is going, you’ll also be able to track any off course detours. While this might not prevent a robber from absconding with that valuable art, it will help you to track down the art no matter where it might be stashed. The GPS tracking possibilities are endless when it comes to fine art. Just think of those famous art objects that have been stolen or lost throughout the centuries – if only they had been tracked via GPS! For those people that do not work within the art world, objects that disappear may seem rather far-fetched. However, this is a reality that must be dealt with on a regular basis…until now.

Now the art world has a way to protect fine art objects from theft. By simply attaching a GPS tracker, those precious items will no longer evaporate. This is not only good news for those that must handle the transportation of art every day, but it also happens to be great news for art admirers all over the world. Thanks to GPS technology, art can be viewed and admired by all those that choose to see it. Track your art, know where it is at all times, and make sure that you can find it should it suddenly “disappear” by adding a GPS tracker to all of those prized items.

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.

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.