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msar-riders - Re: [MSAR] Riding alone

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Subject: Mounted search and rescue

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  • From: "Mike" <revmp777@earthlink.net>
  • To: "Mounted search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] Riding alone
  • Date: Sun, 5 Mar 2006 10:03:22 -0500

You are very right. We have found that a team of dog / handler and two
techs makes an effective unit. The dog handler is too busy watching the
dog and its actions to see much else. The techs are the eyes and ears of
the team. They look for clues, tracks, signs, etc. that the dog handler
will probably miss. The techs also act as navigator and radio operator.
There may be exceptions to this if we are working a very small area but
usually this is the way we work.

Mike Pici
Team Commander
Florida SAR Specialists, Inc.
www.floridasarspecialists.org
727-798-9227

----- Original Message -----
From: "Una Smith" <una.smith@att.net>
To: "Mounted search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 05, 2006 09:58
Subject: Re: [MSAR] Riding alone


> Irv, thank you for reminding me about dog teams!
>
> I gather that many SAR dog handlers work alone, ie one person
> with their dog. I don't think that works nearly as well as they
> think it does. I have been on missions where a dog handler
> worked alone, and although they usually completed their field
> task in good order they tended to be visibly stressed out.
>
> A common procedure among dog units here in northern New Mexico
> (there are several very impressive units) is for the dog handler
> to focus on handling the dog while at least one other person
> follows along doing navigation, radio, and records. This is
> far more effective than when the dog handler tries to do it all.
> But it requires matching a team of dog and *two* people who can
> maintain the dog's working pace for the duration of the task.
>
> This is relevant also to mounted SAR, if one of the horses is
> to be given the job of searching. That horse's rider needs to
> pay close attention to the horse; the other rider(s) should
> be prepared to take over all other field team tasks.
>
> Una Smith
> New Mexico
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