Water Search

SARDAA’s Water Search Standards and Evaluation Procedures

Introduction:

As in the case of many other SAR disciplines, water search dogs provide an additional resource for the search and recovery effort. The use of water search dogs is not an exact science; rather, after extensive training of the dog/handler team, the handler observes the dog’s behaviour during the water search incident. The handler then interprets the information the dog has provided and, together with his/her search team and the SAR manager, makes a decision about further action by the SAR team. Dogs can be an effective tool but should not be considered the only tool at the SAR manager’s disposal.

Specific skills needed by the water search dog team:

  • boat safety course
  • demonstrate proper use of PFD – human and canine
  • strong swimming ability (handler/dog) preferred
  • knowledge of scent theory in relation to bodies of water and rivers/streams
  • SAR Fundamentals training
  • map / compass / GPS training

Evaluators

Two evaluators consisting of a trained, experienced water search K9 handler and a SAR manager familiar with use of canine resources.

Scent Source

Sigma / Aldrich © ‘Pseudo Drowned’ pseudo scent will be used as the scent source; and, when possible, two divers.

Evaluation philosophy of water search dog teams

On-going training is required with formal evaluations as detailed below occuring throughout each season. The overall aim is to encourage a continuous process throughout the dog/handler’s career in water search. This process is designed to develop the team through training and through these evaluations. This is in contrast to a team training for a ‘test’ that occurs once a year.

Shoreline Search Evaluation

The dog and handler will demonstrate the ability to locate scent source on three occasions (an occasion meaning each problem set out in a particular area). Any one of these occasions may be a negative search where there will be no scent source set out in the area. These occasions may take place all in one day or on different days. All will be ‘blind’ problems.The search area will be 100 yards (100 meters) along the shore line. The scent source will be set out at a distance of approximately 15 feet (5 meters) from shore at a depth of 6 – 12 feet (2-4 meters) and will be positioned up wind from the shore. Animal distractions may also be present. The scent source will be set out by boat so as to eliminate any human tracks in the shore line area. The scent source will be set out 15 to 30 minutes prior to the dog starting the evaluation.The handler will be required to state how the search area will be covered and to describe his/her dog’s alert/indication of human scent. Indication of residual scent will also be described.Time available for each test will be 25 minutes.One evaluator will accompany the handler and the other evaluator will observe from a distance.The team will be considered passed if the canine alerts as predicted by the handler on the scent source if it is present in the search area. As noted above, there may be no scent source in the area, so the team will be required to state that no scent source was present. Excessive attention to or alert on the animal scent source will result in failure of the test, as will false alerts.

Water Search From Boat Evaluation

The dog and handler will demonstrate the ability to locate scent source on three occasions (an occasion meaning each problem set out in a particular area). Any one of these occasions may be a negative search where there will be no scent source set out in the area. These occasions may take place all in one day or on different days. All will be ‘blind’ problems.The search area will be a maximum of 40 acres in size. The scent source will be submerged 10 – 15 feet and a minimum of 100 feet from shore. Animal distractions may be present. The scent source will be set out not less than 20 minutes prior to the dog starting the evaluation. The dog and handler will not be permitted to observe the placing of the scent source.The handler will be required to state how the search area will be covered and to describe his/her dog’s alert/indication of human scent. Indication of residual scent will also be described.Time available for each evaluation will be 25 minutes.One evaluator will accompany the handler in the boat, and the other evaluator will observe from a distance.The team will be considered passed if the canine alerts as predicted by the handler on the scent source if it is present in the search area. As noted above, there may be no scent source in the area, so the team will be required to state that no scent source was present. Excessive attention to or alert on the animal scent source will result in failure of the test, as will false alerts and a dog out of control in the boat.