Peace of mind in a wristwatch

Don Scott

AT RISK: Autistic adventurer Matthew Morris, 8, is proud of his new watch. Unknown to Matthew the watch transmits a radio signal that enables him to be tracked.

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An autistic Christchurch boy with a tendency to run away is the first in Canterbury to wear a tracking device.

Eight-year-old Matthew Morris has autism, a heart condition and mild cerebral palsy, none of which stop him from running away when the opportunity strikes.

The Morris family home is fitted with locks, gates and infra-red beams, but none of these measures are any use once Matthew has left the property.

Yesterday, Matthew was fitted with a tracking device disguised as a watch.

Called Wandatrack, the radio-tracking tool is made in North Canterbury and is based on similar technology used to find kiwi in the wild.

When Matthew runs away, his parents, teachers or caregivers call 111 with his details, and a police officer and two search and rescue volunteers are put on the case.

Matthew's mother, Jacki Morris, said the device would provide peace of mind.

"Matthew is what I would call an opportunist," she said. "He doesn't hang around to run away, but if a gate is left open, he's off.

"He's got no road safety. He'll run through lights and across lanes of traffic. He might have a bit of cerebral palsy, but he can run fast.

"You just age 20 years when he goes. Your heart is in the pit of your stomach and you wonder, is this it? Was that the last time I'm going to see him alive?

"I know nothing is 100 per cent failsafe, but this is a bit of extra cushioning."

Matthew can communicate with limited sign language and picture-based cards, but he is unable to speak.

A handful of the tracking devices are being used in Marlborough and the West Coast, while about 70 are being used in Auckland.

About 90 per cent are used on elderly patients with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, but they are also used on people with head injuries or autism – anyone with no safety awareness who has a tendency to run away.

The signal from a watch like Matthew's can be picked up about 500 metres away, while a pendant-wearer can be tracked about a kilometre away.

Auckland police sergeant and search and rescue co-ordinator Dene Duthie has taken part in 30 searches in nine months. The shortest search was three minutes, and most missing people are found in less than an hour.

"It does save us money in the long run, but the main thing is that people are found a lot quicker," Duthie said.

Batteries for the device must be changed every five or six months. A pendant or watch costs $250, while the receiver unit costs about $2000. Each receiver unit can hold the frequency for up to 400 pendants or watches. Canterbury search and rescue teams are fundraising for more devices.

- © Fairfax NZ News