K9SARNL Certification Standards

Version February 13, 2006 

INTRODUCTION

These standards are designed to ensure that K9SARNL’s operational SAR dog and handler teams will be professional and competent in their work.  The failure of a team through inadequate training could result in the death of a victim or a SAR team member.  It is up to the SAR dog Unit (K9SARNL) to ensure that teams are properly prepared and trained.  These standards have been designed according to the unique traits of Newfoundland and Labrador (climate, terrain, population density), and to work in harmony with the current SAR system.  K9SARNL’s standards for dog/handler teams meet or exceed worldwide standards that exist for areas that are similar in terrain and population density. 

Teams wishing to test to the following standards must be invited to do so by a majority vote from the K9SARNL Board of Directors (BOD).  Invited dog/handler teams shall be evaluated by the Training Director(s) or another qualified person who has been approved by the BOD. All team members are expected to assist in various roles in the certification process (flankers, setup assistance, etc).

Witten invitations to observe the K9SARNL certification process shall be issued to all relevant local and provincial personnel such as neighboring GSAR teams, RCMP, RNC, Parks Canada, and NLSARA personnel.

When the team has fulfilled the requirements for operational status, the Training Director(s) will issue official certification approval.  Dogs and handlers must re-test every 12 months at a minimum.  If the BOD finds that dog/handler teams are not performing to standards at team training meetings or on searches, official revocation of operational status shall be given to the handler in writing, with explanation of reasons for the decision.  Re-certification shall be necessary prior to regaining operational status. 

The SAR dog shall be of sound physical structure and temperament and of adequate size and strength to negotiate the climate and terrain in Newfoundland and Labrador.  The dog must be non-aggressive towards people.  If present, dog aggression should be controlled by training and management.  While it is normal that any dog may display aggression toward other dogs at some point, aggression that inhibits the ability for the dog/handler team to function fully in the training or operational environment shall be cause for the BOD to revoke operational status at any time and/or restrict team training exercises.  

The SAR dog handler must be willing to spend considerable time and money on training and equipment.  He or she must also be reasonably available to respond to search calls.  If not on some sort of leave, each operational SAR dog team will be required to spend a minimum of six hours training per month in SAR work at a formal K9SARNL training session, or, if the team cannot attend such sessions, preferably with another operational team or other experienced dog handler or trainer.  All dog/handler teams in K9SARNL will provide training logs at each formal training session that fully describe the work they have done at each team and non-team training session.  Training logs will be evaluated and signed by one of the BOD of K9SARNL at each formal training session.  Handlers must use the K9SARNL training log sheet provided, and may supplement the log sheet if so desired.

The handler/dog team should represent the team in a positive way at all times through their actions, verbal communication, and appearance.  Handlers shall be fit enough to comfortably stay moving without health risk for two consecutive 8-hour days of searching.

All new dog/handler teams must pass the K9SARNL Temperament Test (attached) to qualify to begin attending K9SARNL training sessions, and also re-test prior to certification as an operational unit.

OPERATIONAL STANDARDS

INTRODUCTION:  The certification process consists of two parts.  Part I, Pre-Test Certification, shall be conducted separately and no more than two weeks prior to Part II, Operational Certification.  Dog/handler teams must re-certify yearly.

Part I:  Pre-Test Certification:

Handler shall bring duplicate copies of all necessary documentation to be placed on file.

• Handler must be a member of a Newfoundland and Labrador Search and Rescue Association (NLSARA) with Searcher II status.
• Handler and dog team shall show training logs for at least a one-year period prior to the date of the pre-test certification. 
• Handler should have up-to-date certification in basic First Aid, with Wilderness First Aid preferred. 
• Handler must show kit and equipment that is adequate for 48 hours of self-sufficient survival outside of a base camp with season-appropriate clothing and gear.
• Dog and handler shall complete the K9SARNL Temperament Test.

Part II:  Operational Certification

Basic Testing Conditions: 

• Dog/handler teams will not be asked to search in conditions other than those in which they would be realistically expected to search when operational.
• Handler shall make every attempt to simulate actions on a real search, including the carrying of needed equipment, etc.
• All testing will be of the dog and handler only.  Evaluator(s) will assign one flanker to assist in navigation.  Handler must demonstrate efficient teamwork with the flanker.  Handler and flanker shall be provided with an adequate map, which shall be used in conjunction with compass and GPS unit. 
• Search subjects must be unfamiliar to dog.  Search subjects will be hidden and silent.  Search areas must be unfamiliar to dog/handler undergoing testing.
• Handler must demonstrate the ability to plan an efficient search, best utilizing the wind and existing environmental conditions to provide maximum coverage of the terrain. 
• Handler must demonstrate the ability to work and control the dog in a variety of areas, terrain and conditions.
• Handler must recognize when the dog is alerting to human scent. Alerts must be clearly identifiable by the evaluator during the test.
• Handler must recognize if/when the team is working ineffectively and take action to compensate for or remedy the situation.

Operational Evaluation for Air Scenting Certification

There are four sections to this test; A: Trail Search with Article, B: Day Search, C: Night Search, and D: Debriefing.  All three segments of the test shall be completed within a 24-hour period.  In all cases, handlers will be informed of how many victims are hidden.  Prior to testing, dog and handler shall describe and demonstrate their alert, with a second demonstration if requested either by the Evaluator or dog handler.

These tests were designed to mimic real-life expectations of dog/handler teams, to allow evaluation of the following:

• Handler is capable of effective use of the dog, flanker, wind, terrain and other search situations present.
• Handler is capable of accurately reporting data from the search.
• Dog is well-trained for air scenting and can perform consistently in a variety of situations. 
• Dog is easily directable and under control at all times.
• Test searches should show that the dog and handler can cover assigned areas in a thorough manner.

A:  TRAIL SEARCH WITH ARTICLE

1. The trail search shall last approximately one hour and no more than two hours and may contain 1-3 victims.
2. The trail search shall be conducted in an area with dense/heavy forest on either side of the trail, during daylight hours.
3. The subject(s) shall be hidden within 10 metres (30 feet) of the trail edges.
4. The trail search shall contain one article hidden within 5 metres (15 feet) of the trail edge.  Article shall be no smaller than a glove and no larger than a backpack.
5. The team will be limited to one pass down the trail and back.
6. Search area shall be no less than 1.5 km and no more than 3 km.
7. The search should evaluate the team’s stamina and consistency of work. Should the team locate the subject(s) and article in a very short time, team may be tasked to continue searching the assigned area at the Evaluator’s discretion.

B:  AREA SEARCH

1. The area search shall last no less than one hour and no more than three hours and will contain 1-3 victims in moderate to heavy terrain (rolling topography covered in moderate to heavy brush) during daylight hours. 
2. Search area shall be no less than 20 acres and no more than 40 acres. Area to be searched shall be clearly defined to the handler.
3. The search should evaluate the team’s stamina and consistency of work. Should the team locate the subject(s) and article in a very short time, team may be tasked to continue searching the assigned area at the Evaluator’s discretion.

C:  NIGHT SEARCH

1. The night search shall be a hasty trail search that lasts no more than two hours with a single victim hidden in light to moderate terrain.
2. Search area shall be no less than 2 km and no more than 3 km.
3. The search should evaluate the team’s stamina and consistency of work. Should the team locate the subject(s) and article in a very short time, team may be tasked to continue searching the assigned area at the Evaluator’s discretion.

D:  DEBRIEFING

INTRODUCTION:  After the search, the flanker shall debrief and hand over all relevant search information to the handler.  Handler shall not be penalized for flanker’s mistakes, unless the evaluator deems that the handler should have prevented the mistake by the realistic teamwork used during a real search.  The handler shall be evaluated on their ability to accurately relate relevant information to the base camp.  Information required is included but not limited to:

1. Areas and/or routes covered
2. Location of alerts
3. Wind direction and other observed environmental factors that may be pertinent to the search effort.
4. Location of any clues encountered during the search.
5. Any other pertinent information.

The handler/dog team must pass each portion of the Operational Evaluation to be considered for Operational status.