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An Introduction to Canine SAR Teams

Developed as part of the National Emergency Services Curriculum Project

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Three Categories

• Tracking

• Trailing

• Air-scenting

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Tracking Dogs

• Trained to follow a specific scent– An article is held under the dog’s nose until it

gets the scent• Don’t contaminate the article

– Can be confused• Additional scents masking the target scent• Broken track

– Use early to avoid searching after the scent has faded or other searchers have been in the area

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Tracking Dogs (continued)

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Trailing Dogs

• Similar to tracking dogs, but picks up scent in air in addition to the original track

• Follows the trail of dead skin cells left when a person brushes up against objects or that simply fall off the body naturally

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Trailing Dogs (continued)

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Air-scenting Dogs

• These dogs are deployed downwind of the search area and are trained to detect human scents traveling on the wind

• Can work in a tracking or trailing mode

• Usually the preferred canine resource

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Air-scenting Dogs (continued)

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Air-Scenting DogsTypically Specialized

• Wilderness• Collapsed Structure• Underwater• Cadaver

• Drug• Weapons Searches• Evidence

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Why do search managers use Canine SAR Teams?

• Greater Probability of Detection (POD)– 50 to 80% POD on first search

• Less manpower intensive

• Often readily available through local law enforcement early in the search

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Five rules for working with Dog Teams

• Coordinate your team’s actions with the dog handler

• Clear the upwind search area of any personnel and stay downwind of the dog and handler at all times

• Keep a good distance behind the dog and handler and allow them to work unimpeded

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Five rules for working with Dog Teams

• When in doubt, follow handler’s instructions

• Unless specifically requested keep all resources away from dog teams in the field– Vehicle exhaust deadens the scent and sense of

smell of the dog– Not all SAR dogs can be considered friendly or pets– Don’t feed them - handlers often have special diets

for their dogs, and you could harm them

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Pros & Cons

+ Cover large area quickly with a high POD

+ Not manpower intensive+ Requires little support

- Limited availability of K-9s in some areas

- Not always the best resource late in a search

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Canine SAR Tasks

• Ground Team Members– O-0401: Work with Canine Search Teams

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QUESTIONS?

THINK SAFETY!