1Canine.ppt Last Revised: 16 July 2002 An Introduction to Canine SAR Teams Developed as part of the National Emergency Services Curriculum Project

2Canine.ppt Last Revised: 16 July 2002 Three Categories Tracking Trailing Air-scenting

3Canine.ppt Last Revised: 16 July 2002 Tracking Dogs Trained to follow a specific scent –An article is held under the dog’s nose until he 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

4Canine.ppt Last Revised: 16 July 2002 Tracking Dogs (continued)

5Canine.ppt Last Revised: 16 July 2002 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 simply fall off the body naturally

6Canine.ppt Last Revised: 16 July 2002 Trailing Dogs (continued)

7Canine.ppt Last Revised: 16 July 2002 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

8Canine.ppt Last Revised: 16 July 2002 Air-scenting Dogs (continued)

9Canine.ppt Last Revised: 16 July 2002 Air-Scenting Dogs Typically Specialized Wilderness Collapsed Structure Underwater Cadaver Drug Weapons Searches Evidence

10Canine.ppt Last Revised: 16 July 2002 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

11Canine.ppt Last Revised: 16 July 2002 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

12Canine.ppt Last Revised: 16 July 2002 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

13Canine.ppt Last Revised: 16 July 2002 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

14Canine.ppt Last Revised: 16 July 2002 Canine SAR Tasks Ground Team Members –O-0401: Work with Canine Search Teams