APPLING, Ga. - It is a bracelet that has little to do with fashion and everything to do with saving lives and the Columbia County Sheriff's Office is providing them for free.

Friday a group of officers from the Columbia County Sheriff's Office participated in a training session to learn how to use Project Lifesaver equipment including the bracelets.

Patricia Champion led the class. "What we do is place this bracelet on a person who has a tendency to wander then we use radio equipment to track them," said Champion.

Alzheimer’s patients are one example of who can benefit from the bracelets. After about 24 hours an Alzheimer’s patient in good condition, in good health only has a 50 percent chance of being found alive.

But with the tracking device those chances are significantly increased.

“Project Lifesaver has a 100 percent return rate,” Champion said.

"Honestly it's a little bit easier than we initially thought,” AJ Lyons said.

Lyons was in Friday's class. He has searched for several missing people before.

“Driving around getting out of the car walking in fields, getting clues,” Lyons said.

He says this program could really speed things up.

“This equipment is really good. It's going to expedite locating lost elderly so much faster,” Lyons said.

Although this equipment is free and effective very few people are taking advantage of the program.

“We have not had a lot of participation in our county so if you or anyone you know is interested in this program, please contact us,” Champion said.

You can contact the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office at (706) 541-2856 or visit them on their website.