A monitoring apparatus, comprising: a case with a front side; a display located on the front side of the case; a user interface coupled to the display, and further comprising at least one data entry mechanism; a GPS tracking device located in the case; a timer located in the case; a wireless communication transmitter located in the case; at least one microprocessor in the case and in electronic communication with the GPS tracking device and the timer and the wireless communication transmitter, wherein the microprocessor is configured to monitor at least one monitoring parameter to determine whether a threshold value of the at least one monitoring parameter is met or exceed during a monitoring event or period for a user,; and a deactivation means, wherein the deactivation means is configured to be engaged by the user upon meeting or exceeding the threshold value for the at least one monitoring parameter to delay contacting the at least one previously established contact; wherein the microprocessor is configured to: initiate activation of contacting at least one previously established contact after the threshold value for the at least one monitoring parameter is met or exceeded; alert the user that the contacting step will be activated; at the option of the user, delay or deactivate activation of the contacting step, wherein the user has a limited amount of time to delay or deactivate activation of the contacting step; and if the user does not delay or deactivate activation of the contacting step, automatically engage the wireless communication transmitters to contact the at least one previously established contact. a case with a front side; a display located on the front side of the case; a user interface coupled to the display, and further comprising at least one data entry mechanism; a GPS tracking device located in the case; a timer located in the case; a wireless communication transmitter located in the case; at least one microprocessor in the case and in electronic communication with the GPS tracking device and the timer and the wireless communication transmitter, wherein the microprocessor is configured to monitor at least one monitoring parameter to determine whether a threshold value of the at least one monitoring parameter is met or exceed during a monitoring event or period for a user,; and tracking device and the timer and the wireless communication transmitter, wherein the microprocessor is configured to monitor at least one monitoring parameter to determine whether a threshold value of the at least one monitoring parameter is met or exceed during a monitoring event or period for a user,; and a deactivation means, wherein the deactivation means is configured to be engaged by the user upon meeting or exceeding the threshold value for the at least one monitoring parameter to delay contacting the at least one previously established contact; wherein the microprocessor is configured to: initiate activation of contacting at least one previously established contact after the threshold value for the at least one monitoring parameter is met or exceeded; alert the user that the contacting step will be activated; at the option of the user, delay or deactivate activation of the contacting step, wherein the user has a limited amount of time to delay or deactivate activation of the contacting step; and if the user does not delay or deactivate activation of the contacting step, automatically engage the wireless communication transmitters to contact the at least one previously established contact. initiate activation of contacting at least one previously established contact after the threshold value for the at least one monitoring parameter is met or exceeded; alert the user that the contacting step will be activated; at the option of the user, delay or deactivate activation of the contacting step, wherein the user has a limited amount of time to delay or deactivate activation of the contacting step; and if the user does not delay or deactivate activation of the contacting step, automatically engage the wireless communication transmitters to contact the at least one previously established contact.