Reducing the Risk. A lack of answers is part of what makes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) so frightening. SIDS is the leading cause of death among infants 1 month to 1 year old, and claims the lives of about 2,500 each year in the United States. It remains unpredictable despite years of research. Even so, the risk of SIDS can be greatly reduced.
Using the Latitude Longitude Coordinate System. The latitude longitude coordinate system uses angular measurements to describe a position on the surface of the earth. The system has been in use, with little change, since the astronomer Ptolemy used them in his first world atlas in A.D. 150. Mariners and aviators have been the primary users of latitude/longitude in the past. The system is used on a world wide basis and many different types of maps have lat/lon markings.
By combining longitude and latitude measurements, any location on earth can be determined. The units of measurement for geographic coordinates are degrees (Â°), minutes ('), and seconds (). Like a circle, the Earth has 360 degrees. Each degree is divided into 60 minutes, which in turn is divided into 60 seconds. Latitude and longitude coordinates also include cardinal directions: north or south of the equator for latitude, and east or west of the prime meridian for longitude.