1 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Canine Search Specialist Training Unit 8: Advanced Rubble Search

2 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Objective Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to explain the rationale for canine foundation training and the advanced skills necessary for a canine to effectively search in a disaster environment

3 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Enabling Objectives Explain the importance of exposing canine to varied disaster scenarios Describe the importance of the handler being knowledgeable in search strategy and scenting conditions Identify and solve problems that develop in disaster search scenarios

4 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Introduction

7 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Search Scenarios

8 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Search Scenarios Rubble Buildings Mobile home parks Brush Explosions Construction debris Grain elevators

Train To Reality

12 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Think outside the box Handlers must find and train in unusual sites throughout the canine’s training program Construction sites Junk yards Lumber yards Demolished and abandoned buildings Heavy equipment storage areas

15 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Required Skills Handler Canine Helper Spotter/Safety

16 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Handler Skills Agility Possess hazard awareness Understand search strategy Understand scenting conditions Design training program Debrief and document accurately

17 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Helper Skills Agility Hazard identification Understand the goal of the exercise Responsible for reward delivery Must hide in confined spaces for extended periods of time

18 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Safety Officer and Spotters’ Skills Ensure safety of canine Ensure safety of helpers Recognize changes in behavior and bark alert Be able to accurately report canine behavior

19 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Canine Skills Agility Solid nerve strength Independence Reward driven Possess a strong work ethic Willing to work out of sight

20 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training More Canine Skills Ignore distractions Possess an independent bark alert Work in new environments

21 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Working in Rubble Considerations

22 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Training Considerations Search area Safety Stability of structure Rest area(s) Observation area Wind direction and scent patterns Access point

23 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Search area

24 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Safety

25 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Stability

27 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Rest and Rehab

28 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Helper Placement Considerations Depth to be buried Materials used to conceal Wind direction Behavior of wind and scent Ability to reward canine

29 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Helper Placement Considerations Distance canine must cover before reaching helper Level of experience of canine Ability to conceal helper from view Assure canine can not access helper

31 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Progression of Training

32 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Progression of Training Canine comfortable and agile Visual - immediate Visual - delayed No visual, handler knows location No visual, handler does not know location

33 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Progression of Training (continued) Canine cannot be rewarded by helper Canine searches negative pile All of the above with handler access

34 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Time for a video! “Rubble Sequence”

36 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Stages of Rubble Training

37 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Stages of Rubble Training Beginner Intermediate Advanced

38 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Beginning Level Handler knows helper location Alert prop at the edge of site Alert prop moved into site Runaways, pop ups, reward from helper Introduce “evaluators” as distractions Helper hides in rubble instead of alert prop resulting in varied scent conditions

39 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Intermediate Level Helper’s location unknown to handler Cold shots Less sterile environment Inaccessible, totally concealed victims Utilize entire pile Incorporate search strategy

40 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training

41 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Advanced Level Longer searches Multiple victims Overlapping Scent Deep victims Diffuse scent Handler Reward Distractions Multiple search sites Blank search sites

42 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Longer Searches Set up multiple search areas with short break between sites Use multi-story buildings with blank floors Set up larger search areas so dog and handler increase stamina, strategy, work ethic

43 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Overlapping Scent Use motivation Reward on first bark Clear and successful

44 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Deep Separate deep and diffuse Use motivation Shorten distance—take out the “search” Reinforce any sound at first—dog must not leave (whine) Shape into strong alert Consider props off the pile

45 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Deep

46 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Diffuse Use motivation Shorten distance-take out “search” Reinforce any sound at first—dog must not leave (whine) Shape into strong alert Consider props off the pile

47 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Diffuse

48 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Remember Dogs learn by repetition Do not reward a bad sequence If the exercise goes bad—ABORT Practice does not make perfect— PERFECT Practice Makes Perfect

49 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Introduce Handler Reward Toss reward in front of dog while helper gives verbal motivation Practice smooth delivery without dog Dog’s focus must remain on alert location Use sparingly—dog must always think the reward is coming from the victim!

50 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Handler Reward

51 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Distractions

52 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Distractions Go back to alert barrel Use helper motivation Shorten distance Contain all distractions Start with distractions by handler Quick reward

53 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training

56 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Working With Distractions Identify issues they may have with Noise Smoke Food distractions Animal distractions Unstable or slippery surfaces Other people working in the area Ability to maintain focus on task

57 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Troubleshooting

58 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Troubleshooting Canine is uncomfortable working on rubble Canine does not maintain focus when encountering distractions Canine does not search independently of handler

59 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Time for a video! “Rubble Problems”

61 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Disaster Search in Rubble Demonstration

62 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Summary and Evaluation

63 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Summary Explain the importance of exposing canine to varied disaster scenarios Describe the importance of the handler being knowledgeable in search strategy and scenting conditions Identify and solve problems that develop in disaster search scenarios

64 National Urban Search & Rescue Response System Canine Search Specialist Training Unit Evaluation Please fill out the evaluation on this unit