“Support” Certification
by: Jewell Seymour
Before any SARDOC member can test with their dog, they must become certified as a “support” person. This includes three navigation tests and gives every new handler the opportunity to work closely with certified SARDOC members. Once certified in support, members may accompany certified handlers on missions. This helps future handlers gain experience in the field and understand the “ins and outs” of working on missions.
Included below are some tools I’ve collected from working with SAR dog handlers. I was inspired by Roger Matthews when I was lucky enough to be support/navigator for him on his out of county test, and I started taking notes of his requests of me and of his pre-mission briefing.
I welcome feedback as to how they might be improved. If deemed useful to the SARDOC membership, I suggest that which is useful eventually be put on our SARDOC website, as per Kurt’s request.
| POD Calculation Criteria | ||||
| DATE of SEARCH | ||||
| Percent | Condition | Calibration | ||
|
15% |
Wind | 5-15 mph is optimal | ||
|
15% |
Groundcover | none or little is optimal | ||
|
15% |
Temperature | optimal is dog specific – know your dog | ||
|
15% |
Topography | flat is optimal | ||
|
10% |
Sunshine (& humidity) | night and dawn, (& moist) is optimal | ||
|
15% |
Fatigue (& experience) | experienced and fresh is optimal | ||
|
15% |
Grid Distance Interval | tight grid is optimal | ||
|
100% |
OPTIMAL POD | SEARCH POD | ||
Navigation/Wilderness Support Requests
Handler_____________________________Dog______________________
Support/Navigator____________________ Date_____________________
Location____________________________ Subject___________________
1. Note start and stop times of search, as well as start and stop times for breaks.
2. Inform handler re: hazards, navigational, or otherwise.
3. Inform handler when near area boundary.
4. Stay behind handler, no closer than 10’, no more than 20’.
5. Avoid talking when unnecessary.
6. Be prepared for weather, terrain, and self care for duration of search.
7. Have compass, map of search area, and GPS.
Indicate on map:
1. Mark map with solid line for handler’s track.
2. Mark map with dotted line when dog is trailing subject
3. i + bearing + wind direction = interest (i drawn on map in direction of interest, wind), direction noted by W with arrow on leg of W showing direction from which wind is coming)
4. A+ bearing = Alert (A in direction of alert, with compass bearing of alert if possible) marked on map and noted on GPS as a waypoint.
5. i+ circle around i = scent pool
6. W, oriented = direction of wind (see above, #3) noted on map with each directional change
7. + (or asterisk) = article
8. Circle an area if handler says it is a high probability area. Note HPA inside circle.
9. Circle an area if handler says it is not cleared. Note NC inside circle
Questions for Pre Mission Briefing
Subject description?
Subject(s) name(s)?
Gender?
Age?
Shoe size?
Shoe type?
Length of hair?
Color of hair?
Clothing description?
Color of hat?
Color of Coat?
Other?
Equipment Subject has with them?
Subject has radio?
Weapons?
Water and food?
Protective clothing?
Colors?
Backpack?
Colors?
Other?
Subject History
Experience in this area?
Foul play suspected?
How long has subject been missing?
Known health issues and/or medications?
What else is known about events and subject ?
Evasive? Will subject run away from dog or people?
Search Strategy
Known hazards in area?
Other searchers in area? Family members?
Past history of area’s weather?
Typical weather in area?
Current and near future weather report?
What POD is IC desiring of this dog team?
Training With Search and Rescue Dogs of Colorado
(Reprinted with permission of Colorado Paw Pages magazine)
“Hey Trace…… go find Robyn. Where’s Robyn?”
With that, Dan Fanning and his super yellow lab are off into Roosevelt National Forest near “Lumpy Ridge” before I’ve had a chance to put on mittens! Trace takes a split second whiff off a scent article (a sock obtained earlier from Robyn, his hidden practice subject) and is ready to go. He was, in fact, ready the moment Dan let him jump from the truck and put on his orange “SARDOC” canine vest. This is a dog who knows when it’s his turn to work!
I first met Trace as an energetic, wacky puppy and wondered how he could possibly develop enough focus to become operational with the team. Now, as a “mature” three year old, I still have my doubts. He takes off enthusiastically on a northern path and Robyn is very much south and to the east. Trace is going the wrong direction but Dan is unconcerned and is strolling forward with his walking stick seemingly out for a casual afternoon stroll with his canine pal.
Dan is a 25 year veteran of search and rescue work, 11 of them with SARDOC and I know as we crunch across the snow, he is taking in tons of information such as wind speed and direction, slope, and possible “scent pools” that could throw Trace off. Yet Dan is truly walking with a relaxed, easy smile encouraging his protégée with a hearty “good boy” whenever his dog glances back at him. Trace bounds ahead following the trail of a previous “problem” for another dog. As we walk the rolling meadow, I know he is confused and on the wrong path. I wonder if Dan is disappointed.
Trace’s presence with Search and Rescue Dogs of Colorado was a happy accident. Dan’s chocolate lab, Bear, was 7 years into his search and rescue career when Dan started thinking about a puppy to be trained upon Bear’s retirement. As fate would have it, the team was notified about a litter of Labradors out of Dos Rios Kennel in Berthoud, Colorado. A gentleman wanted to donate one of these beautiful show puppies to SARDOC in memory of his loving wife. With some not so gentle nudges from other team members, Dan visited the puppies and anyone who has ever spent time with a group of cuddly lab pups can predict what happened next! Dan and other team members made many visits spending time watching the puppies roll and wrestle, noting personality traits, temperament, play drive, and endurance. While taking in all of this information, Dan admitted his pick of the litter was “a real goofy boy.” A team was born.
Trace began a 3 year journey of training twice a week every week of the year, passing multiple tests along the way that will ultimately lead to a rigorous, formal test using independent evaluators who will ask Dan and Trace to find a hidden subject during a large daytime search as well as a separate night search, both under time limits in variable mountain conditions. This will challenge Dan’s search strategies and their collective teamwork.
As a skilled air scent dog, Trace can locate a subject in an area up to a square mile that would take 30 humans to search. Together, they will learn to locate multiple subjects using multiple scent articles. Dan knows his dog in ways few people can ever imagine. He knows that Trace’s demeanor and gait subtlety change when he’s after a “critter” versus working scent. He knows Trace might sit up to 3 minutes at a time, nose in the wind while he thinks through his problem. Dan is careful not to interrupt. The bond between them is palpable.
Trace now swings east, up a short hill surrounded by aspens and arrives at the exact location of a previous subject who is probably now in a warm Estes Park coffee shop sipping some grande double half caf. caramel latte Starbucks kind of thing. I wait for Dan to redirect his dog but, unbelievably, Trace immediately trots south without even hesitating at the last subjects location. He is purposeful and clearly on the scent of his subject. What’s more, Dan says, he has been every step of the way. I’m stunned and sheepish for misjudging this talented dog.
Trace picks up speed now and gallops down a slope, across a dirt road, and up a steep ravine into some tall grasses, shrubs, and spruce trees. We follow as quickly as we can but Trace has found Robyn’s scent in the shifting winds and simply cannot wait on us. We lose him in some rock outcroppings but in a minute or so catch sight of him happily rolling and snacking on some fresh deer poo. We now see Robyn about 20 yards ahead, lying motionless and quiet by a tree despite already having been found by Trace.
As we lug ourselves up the hill, Trace abandons his pile of poo to alert Dan to his find. Dan’s voice is full of excitement asking Trace hurriedly, “What is it? Did you find her? Did you find Robyn? Where is she? Show me! Show me!” We’re all running with Trace now as he dances and hops to Robyn. Suddenly Robyn jumps up and the real party begins. She pulls Trace’s favorite stuffed toy, a goose, out of her jacket and begins a delightful tug of war with her “rescuer.” We hoot and holler praising Trace and happily toss the stuffed goose for him. He shakes the toy, bows playfully and snow flies into the air off his paws throughout the celebration.
I am humbled by the talent and dedication of these amazing dogs and their people. They are volunteers on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist lost or injured hikers, hunters, snowmobilers, missing children and even possible suicides. They drive through blizzards in the middle of the night or drop important family events to assist people who have loved ones lost somewhere in the mountains. They pay membership dues to do this work. SARDOC people can spend up to 24 hours in the field carrying packs of 35 pounds or more. They travel at their own expense, supply their own gear, and pay for their advance training in avalanche, water searches, or crime evidence certification. They pay for wilderness medical training and take time away from their families to gain experience in things like icy river crossings or helicopter insertions.
As Dan debriefs the exercise with other team members, I sit with beautiful Trace and run my hands down his strong back and muscular legs. I think he is in a state of joy at this moment. His warm eyes shine and I see wisdom, confidence and, yes, even maturity. Pretty darn good for a goofy boy!!
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