We depend upon GPS signals for so many important things, it’s often difficult to think of them all.  We were reminded of just how important some of these uses are when we read this problem report on the US Coast Guard’s website:

“My son wears a GPS watch due to the possibility of him wandering from school. Around 11:30 today, I received a “check in” notification that he was in Upland, IN. I called the school in Avon, IN (hours from Upland) and they confirmed he was in class.”