Mounted search and rescue

["irvin lichtenstein" <ilichten1@verizon.net>]

The more maneuverable yields to the less maneuverable which usually means
that a horse task team has the right of way. In most states horses are
pedestrians and atv's are illegal on the road. In the field it all depends--
is there someplace for the other guy to go to get out of your way or is it
easier for you to go around them. You should not let anything get in the way
of the search task and ATV's tearing up the ground you are working for
tracks is not appropriate at any time.

Dog handlers can have ego problems. If you are working with a strictly air
scent dog crew go somewhere else. Area dogs are useless in heavily
trafficked areas like public parks. It takes too long for the scent to clear
out and usually the subject is long gone.  The air scent detects person and
does not discriminate so anybody upwind of them will trigger an alert. If
the dog can discriminate between scents you should be able to work anywhere.
Tracking/trailing dogs who work off a sample (bloodhounds) or a confirmed
start track  should not be bothered by horses or other people once they
identify your scent as not the one they are after. Make sure all tasks are
covered by 3 persons. Dog handlers sometimes work alone and then you have to
go find them. Every task should have a point person, a navigator, and a
medical support person. The point person is usually the dog handler, the
navigator somebody who knows the local terrain better than your GPS, and the
support person is first aid, self rescue, and radio.   Be prepared to
support the dog people with radios, first aid persons, maps, etc.