(57) The invention provides a personal tracking system suitable for rapidly and accurately identifying the location of a missing child. The child carries a mobile transmitter unit which is preferably a transceiver, and that transmitter unit communicates with a portable receiver unit carried by the parent or responsible adult. The portable receiver unit is also preferably a transceiver. The mobile transmitter unit is incorporated into a wrist or ankle bracelet to be worn by the child, and is provided with enabling and disabling means. The transmitter unit transmits an emergency signal if the bracelet is severed or removed while the transmitter unit is enabled, and optionally incorporates a panic button for generating the emergency signal even without removal of the bracelet. The transmitter unit also includes means for transmitting a location signal when activated. The receiver unit receives the emergency signal to notify the parent or responsible adult that the child is in need of assistance, and also receives the location signal and translates that signal into a visual display of information.