Sentinel combines lethal means restriction with real-time support of a trusted Safety Team of the veteran’s choice.
Sentinel was inspired by veterans' stories and guided by nearly a decade of input and feedback from them. Sentinel honors the known veterans' codes such as “I got your six” and “band of brothers/sisters.”
Sentinel gives vets a platform to apply this dedication to protecting their fellow vets by teaming up for safe storage of firearms and medications, and providing peer to peer support.
The desire to serve others that drives people to join the armed forces does not disappear after separation from service. Sentinel offers vets the opportunity to serve other vets, themselves and their families.
| Overview | Sentinel was developed based on almost a decade of veteran input.
Sentinel honors the veteran codes to protect their fellow veterans. The desire to serve others that drives people to join the armed forces does not disappear after separation from service. Sentinel affords vets the opportunity to serve other vets, themselves, and their families.
Sentinel was designed as an enhanced safe gun storage method to help prevent suicide, injury and accidents. The system allows for 100% voluntary implementation by the user/veteran, and also allows varying degrees of implementation. Additionally, Sentinel provides veterans the tools needed to build their support team and opportunities for learning about safe storage, mental health and suicide prevention. Sentinel will be available for both Android and IOS (Apple) devices and will be downloadable via Google Play or the App Store. |
| Veteran Network | Human connection is critical to suicide prevention. Sentinel’s veteran-only Veteran Network operates like a “Virtual VFW,” and offers a peer community, resources and trusted suicide-prevention messengers. Vets who do not have close friends or family nearby can find a buddy on this virtual network of vets who are willing to serve as safety team members for others. This feature allows vets who are experiencing isolation to access a network of support that may extend beyond the Sentinel system. |
| Safety Team | The Safety Team allows the user to identify trusted friends, family members and/or fellow soldiers that become partners in safety. Team members agree to be alerted when a gun safe is unlocked or the users can choose to agree that their gun safe can only be unlocked if their team sends back an approval. The requirements are flexible and totally controlled by the users and are privately agreed upon between team members. Veterans who do not have any close relationships may join the Veteran Network and find a trained volunteer to recruit to their team. |
| Time Lock | The Time Lock allows users to lock a linked gun box for minutes, hours or days. This feature essentially allows the user to create an in-home safe-deposit box for firearms and may be used in times of sudden crisis or more predictable events. Users can even setup a lock schedule to prevent/allow access on a regular basis. When the time lock is active the gun box cannot be opened by anyone. Six levels of access control are available: 1) None – some vets don’t want to use any access control 2) Gun Box – Weapon is out of sight and protected from damage 3) Locked Box – If using “smart lock” can do remote unlock and safety team notification 4) Contact Sensor – placed inside any enclosure will notify veteran that enclosure was opened. 5) Safety Team - Team members can be notified when any gun enclosure is accessed. All other features of Sentinel are available regardless of access control chosen 6) HoldMyGuns.Org - A nonprofit organization that partners with FFLs across the United States to provide voluntary firearms storage during times of crisis |
| UnLock Devices | Unlocking the gun box can be as quick as two clicks. If there are no active time locks and no team approval is required, the box will unlock immediately. If there is an active time lock, the gun box cannot be unlocked. If team approval is required, a message will be sent to all members, requesting their approval. When the team members respond with their approval, a message signaling their approval will be sent back to the user’s phone. Once all approvals have been received, the Unlock process will complete. |
| Learning Center | The Learning Center provides access to the most current websites hand-picked just for vets including links to veterans’ resources, employment opportunities, medical care, and social events. Sentinel will also link to the Mission Daybreak Finalists that have created vetted resources include PATRIOTLink.org, Guide, and Overwatch Project. Also included in the Learning Center are online trainings in suicide prevention. |
| Emergency | With one click users can immediately unlock all devices that do not have an active time lock and all notification safety team members will be notified. After three minutes, any active time locks can be disengaged by pressing Emergency again. The system can also automatically call or text 911 and provide name, address and current location, if desired. The veteran is in complete control of what information is shared, if any. |
| VCL - 988 | With one click users can access the Veterans Crisis Line. This features prominent placement on the home page reminds users that help is there whenever its needed. |
Sentinel Features
NOTE: Sentinel sensors can be incorporated into almost any lockbox or gun safe.
