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msar-riders - Re: [MSAR] Riding alone

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Subject: Mounted search and rescue

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  • From: Una Smith <una.smith@att.net>
  • To: Mounted search and rescue <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] Riding alone
  • Date: Sun, 5 Mar 2006 07:58:44 -0700

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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