Handler’s Name

Evaluation Item:

Date Completed

Handler’s Initials

Optional Items:

1.       Basic ICS Course

2.       Managing The Lost Person Incident Course

3.       Man-tracking Course

Mandatory Items:

1.       Navigation

Orient a map to the north

Take two-three compass bearings – bi/triangulate on map

Describe features on a topographical map

Describe declination, magnetic & true north

Find location on map from UTM coordinates

Navigate a 3-point compass course using paces

Enter UTM coordinates on GPS and save as a waypoint

Follow a route using GPS waypoints (Goto)

2.       Scent Theory

Able to understand and verbalize the following:

Scent Pools

Convection

Wind effect on scent

Terrain effect on scent

Weather effect on scent

Temperature effect on scent

Chimney effect (lofting)

3.       Search Strategy

Able to understand and verbalize the following:

Determine search strategy using terrain and wind

Determine distance between grids

Basic knowledge of Lost Person Behavior

Basic knowledge of how/where to deploy multiple search dog teams

Knowledge of search strategy by:

                                                              i.      Walking with an operational dog team

                                                            ii.      Evaluate area and conditions, plan strategy for team

Describe actions of the dog and reasons for the dog’s behavior

4.       Knowledge of dog behavior

Describe the following:

Types of alerts (passive / aggressive)

Signs of stress

Signs of aversion

Examples of displacement behavior

5.       K-9 First Aid

Demonstrate/Verbalize emergency steps for the following:

CPR

Bandaging

Heat Stroke/Exhaustion

Hypothermia

Repair torn nail

Shock

Internal bleeding

Fracture

Drowning

6.       Human First Aid (Minimum)

Current CPR certification

Basic First Aid

7.       Physical Requirements

Demonstrate the following:

Ability to walk three miles in fifty minutes with 30# pack

8.       Crime Scene Preservation

Explain actions to be taken when finding evidence in the field

Describe how to preserve a possible crime scene in the field

9.       Night Search

Describe equipment needed for night searching versus daytime

Participate in a mock or actual night search

10.   Man tracking

Demonstrate how to measure a track

Demonstrate how to use a tracking stick

11.   Obedience & Agility

Dog must demonstrate controlled obedience with distractions:

Sit

Down

Down-Stay (5 minutes with handler out of sight)

Heel or Close within 2 feet of handler

Jump up at least three feet into a specified area

Crawl under an obstacle ¾ of the dog’s height

Climb onto, walk along a log or obstacle 3-4 feet

off the ground and 10 feet in length

Stay on area/object until released

Walk through a culvert or small tunnel

Approach a person, shake hands etc.

12.   Response to a search incident

Handler has responded in support of an operational dog team

13.   Command Structure

Understand and verbalize the following terms and explain their role in SAR:

ICS

POD

PLS

POA

DOT

Team Leader