Search and Rescue

In the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing, Susannah Charleson clipped a photo from the newspaper: an exhausted canine handler, face buried in the fur of his search-and-rescue dog. A dog lover and pilot with search experience herself, Susannah was so moved by the image that she decided to volunteer with a local canine team and soon discovered firsthand the long hours, nonexistent pay, and often heart-wrenching results they face.

Still she felt the call, and once she qualified to train a dog of her own, she adopted Puzzle, a strong, bright Golden Retriever puppy who exhibited unique aptitudes as a working dog but who was less interested in the role of compliant house pet. Puzzle's willfulness and high drive, both assets in the field, challenged even Susannah, who had raised dogs for years.

Scent of the Missing is the story of Susannah and Puzzle's adventures together and of the close relationship they forge as they search for the lost--a teen gone missing, an Alzheimer's patient wandering in the cold, signs of the crew amid the debris of the space shuttle Columbia disaster. From the earliest air-scent lessons to her final mastery of whole-body dialog, Puzzle emerges as a fully collaborative partner in a noble enterprise that unfolds across the forests, plains, and cityscapes of the Southwest. Along the way Susannah and Puzzle learn to read the clues in the field, and in each other, to accomplish together the critical work neither could do alone and to unravel the mystery of the human/canine bond.

Check out Puzzle's page for lots of photos, book intro, TV appearances, interviews and more.


Training the Disaster Search Dog (2005)
Disaster Search Dog teams save lives! Quick response to natural and man-made disasters can mean the difference between life and death for trapped victims. Highly trained Disaster Search Dog (DSD) teams are an increasingly important component in response efforts to save lives in the face of terrorist attacks, earthquakes and floods—and training these teams has never been more important.

Whether you aspire to have your dog ready to help your community in case of a local disaster or you wish to select and train a dog to become part of a certified FEMA, DSD team, this is the first book written that tells you how to do it. Training the Disaster Search Dog describes the step-by-step training methods that human-dog teams use to locate victims in rubble and is based on the author’s 28 years of field experience. Choosing the right dog, teaching the dog to alert on possible victims, and detailed training regimens.

Dog Heroes: Saving Lives and Protecting America (2002)
By Jen Bidner. This informative and educational book about contemporary canine heroes is the runaway bestseller among dog enthusiasts, trainers, and handlers worldwide. Search-dog trainer and photographer Jen Bidner brings her knowledge of the field to the first book to celebrate these brave dogs and highlight their capabilities with dramatic photographs. In addition to rousing real-life tales, Bidner writes about the history of canine search and rescue. She reveals the wide range of breeds being successfully used as search dogs, with detailed information on getting started in canine search and rescue.
 
Wilderness First Responder, 2nd Edition
By Buck Tilton & Tom Burke. A text for the recognition, treatment, and prevention of wilderness emergencies. It is a priceless rescue for wilderness educators, trip leaders, guides, search & rescue groups, and all people who work or play far from definitive medical care. Includes expert, step-by-step instructions, clear illustrations, and "Signs and Symptoms" sidebars designed to help you provide care in wilderness and urban settings - whenever you are more than an hour away from an ambulance or a hospital. You'll learn about patient assessment and evacuation and strengthen your ability to improvise when ideal materials are not at hand.  

Some Grid Search Techniques for Locating Lost Individuals in Wilderness Areas (1992)
By Bill Syrotuck. For the wilderness search and rescue trainer, some valuable methods of planning searches, using a grid pattern. Scientific study of these techniques - diagrams and charts.

Avalanche! Hasty Search: The Care and Training of the Avalanche Search and Rescue Dogs
This book was written by Patti Burnett and was published by Doral Publishing in July 2003. Trained rescue dogs are the best tools available to rescuers for finding missing people in the wilderness. A successful ski patroller and rescue dog handler, Patti has unparalleled experience working the toughest call-outs. The book details SAR training for avalanche rescue, starting with puppy selection. It also covers handler preparation, equipment, training from beginning to advanced, health, certification, search strategy, public relations, and missions. And, many personal anecdotes highlight the book, making it interesting reading for any dog lover.  

Analysis of Lost Person Behavior (2000)
By Bill Syrotuck; paperback. Newly revised edition! An aid to search planning for search and rescue units, this is a scientific study of the behavior of lost persons (children, elderly, disabled, etc.) Includes: basic fears of lost persons, capabilities of a lost person, behavior while lost, evaluation of the scene and terrain, probable distances covered, and MUCH more! Author: William Syrotuck, search and rescue & tracking authority.

Cadaver Dog Handbook: A Forensic Guide for Training, Handling, and Searching (2000)
By Marcella H. Sorg, Andrew Rebmann, Edward David. Intended for those who train and handle cadaver dogs, this book also encompasses information for those who work closely with them, such as police, death investigators, and anthropologists. Its interdisciplinary approach is useful to any member of a forensic team who regularly participates in or evaluates the results of the human remains search effort. Cadaver Dog Handbook is organized so that forensic specialists who are not themselves dog handlers will be able to access information about search techniques, contexts and documentation. Conversely, individuals interested primarily in training and handling will be able to focus on chapters devoted specifically to these subjects or expand their expertise to include more of the forensic framework.

Practical Scent Dog Training
Lue Button,  Step-by-step training guide for air scent, evidence search, disaster search and AKC tracking test. We'd suggest this more for those interested in search and rescue, police work, etc. rather than AKC tracking.

K9 Search and Rescue (1999)
Desi Gerritsen & Rudd Haak  In a disaster, a trained search and rescue dog can greatly increase the chances of victims being found in time and rescued. This book outlines a new method of training SAR dogs developed by the authors in Austria. It covers their entire training method from basic training through the specific methods required for each type of search operation. Includes tips on search preparation, safety, disaster operations coordination, information on the scent capabilities of dogs, and a brief history of canine search and rescue.

Ready! The Training of the Search and Rescue Dog
This book was written by Susan Bulanda, edited by Luana Luther, and published by Doral Publishing in March 1995. The author here is a Search & Rescue dog handler and trainer. In a step-by-step fashion, this book helps such handlers train their dogs and solve training problems. It was nominated by the Dog Writers Association as best book of the year in its category.
   
Search and Rescue Dogs: Training the K-9 Hero, 2nd Edition (2002)
By ARDA. Well-trained search dogs are invaluable in saving lives. They have located victims trapped under debris from hurricanes and tornadoes, as well as avalanches, and many lost hikers or otherwise disoriented adults and children owe their lives to search dogs. This book teaches what it takes to train a true canine hero. The emphasis is on handler and unit training, but principles of obedience as well as handler readiness and equipment are explored. There is valuable information on conditioning and first aid for search dogs; also chapters on organizing and carrying out a search.  

Search and Rescue Dogs: Training Methods (1991)
Written by the American Rescue Dog Association. It's unlikely that many dog owners will have the dedication, resources and stamina to enter search-and-rescue work. On the other hand, the techniques and the case studies here are so interesting that a read will prove rewarding to ordinary trainers and fanciers alike. Discussion begins with a brief history of the American Rescue Dog Association (ARDA), founded in 1972, which provides its services nationally, free of charge--"Can you leave work for two or three days at a time, perhaps several times a month? Can you afford to pay all your own expenses?'' The ARDA's methods, based on dogs' sensitivity to airborne scents (as opposed to traditional tracking) and training methods, are examined in detail, and guidelines are suggested for forming search-and-rescue units. Standards are high for both handlers and animals. Dogs should be double-coated; agile; highly intelligent and trainable; demonstrate scenting ability; be deeply bonded with a handler; and lacking an instinct for hunting--a German shepherd is ideal. Handlers must be strong, stoic, quick-witted and knowledgeable in areas ranging from first aid to lost-person behavior. Dog-world devotees will find this as gripping as any thriller.  

Tracking for Search and Rescue Dogs:  A Practical Manual for Novice & Advanced Handlers (2002)
Written by Boguslaw P. Gorny. Tracking for SAR not only requires that the dog be trained to follow the human scent exclusively, but that he be able to begin tracking in a variety of circumstances, from a variety of scent sources, and in almost any type of terrain and conditions. Most importantly, however, training a SAR dog means sacrificing precision of tracking form for speed and accuracy on the track, in situations where every minute may count in finding search victims and saving their lives. This book gives practical advice on every facet of training dogs for this vital work, from choosing dogs to training tracklayers, from basic training to training with complex search scripts. It is geared to preparing dog and handler for real search situations. However, particularly the first part of the book is also usable by the novice tracker who plans to participate in AKC tracking events.  

K9 Search and Rescue
Written by Resi Gerritsen & Ruud Haak. In a disaster, a trained search and rescue dog can greatly increase the chances of victims being found in time and rescued. This book outlines a new method of training S & R dogs developed by the authors in Austria. It covers their entire training method from basic training through the specific methods required for each type of search operation. Includes tips on search preparation, safety, disaster operations coordination, information on the scent capabilities of dogs, and a brief history of canine search and rescue.  

The Lost Pet Chronicles - Adventures of a K-9 Cop Turned Pet Detective (2004)
Written by Kat Albrecht. The adventures of a K-9 cop turned pet detective. This is the remarkable story of Kat Albrecht, the nation's first law-enforcement-based pet detective. Her experiences are astonishing, revealing time-tested methods that could one day help you find a lost pet. Using investigative techniques such as probability theory, behavioral profiling, and searches with scent-detection dogs, Kat has helped more than 1800 pet owners locate lost dogs, cats, snakes, turtles, and horses. Along the way, she has faced one-of-a-kind challenges and unexpected roadblocks, but they've always been balanced by the unique joys of reuniting missing pets with their owners.  

Intro to Land Search Probabilities (2000)
William Syrotuck. Search and rescue is an art and a science; there are theoretical approaches as well as practical ones. This handbook presents the scientific, theoretical probabilities of finding lost persons in any given area. It is a highly technical study!

Fundamentals of Search and Rescue (2005)
Written by Donald C. Cooper (Editor). Fundamentals of Search and Rescue (FUNSAR) is the only resource that covers Search and Rescue Technician (SARTECH) III & II requirements. Providing an overview of all aspects of search and rescue procedures and equipment, FUNSAR teaches the absolutely essential techniques employed by nearly all search and rescue personnel. FUNSAR offers an in-depth and practical approach to search and rescue and is recommended for all emergency responders. Ideal for both paid and unpaid professionals, this resource combines dynamic features with the latest comprehensive content.  

Guide to Search and Rescue Dogs (2004)
Written by Angela Eaton Snovak. Search and rescue dogs are invaluable members of certified rescue teams designated to locate accident victims and lost adults and children in wilderness areas and at disaster scenes. This book presents advice and guidance for rescue dog handlers, with information on how dogs scent, and detailed instruction on training of both dogs and their handlers. The author discusses rescue specialties where dogs are a critical resource in specific circumstances that include avalanche rescue, locating drowning victims, and locating both the living and the dead in the wake of plane crashes, earthquakes, and other calamities.  

Search Dog Training - How to Get Started Video
By Ed Stopper & Madde Watts. How to get started in search dog training! Super video explains what is needed in terms of handler fitness, what is expected in each discipline of SAR, how to select and socialize a puppy, basic training (obedience), agility, trust, record keeping, the search game, search problems. Accompanying booklet includes sources of SAR equipment. Gives a great over-view of this field--exciting and inspiring!  

A Practical Guide to the Working Bloodhound and Other Search & Rescue Dogs
This book was written by Jan Tweedie and published in July 1998 by Alpine Publications. This book is for anyone who wants to train a dog for search & rescue or just read about the amazing ability of Search & Rescue dogs. It includes beginning and advanced training techniques, and goes step-by-step through raising a puppy or selecting a trailing dog through basic training and health concerns. It also explains the records and documentation required.  

Ready to Serve, Ready to Save: Strategies of Real-Life Search and Rescue Missions
This book was written by Susan Bulanda and Marilyn Neudeck-Dicken. Published in July 1999 by Doral Publishing, it is made up of a collection of actual missions from the bombings of our embassies in Africa to the Oklahoma City tragedy. This book will help rescuers and those intrigued by Search & Rescue to understand the different types of missions and what researchers face in terms of varying geographic conditions, etc.  

Tactical Tracking Operations (1998)
By David Scott-Donelan. This manual is packed with practical lessons, on-the-ground tricks, training drills and equipment suggestions for the solo tracker on up to a multiagency tracking operation. Learn from a 30-year veteran how to find and follow tracks through any terrain; assess the age of tracks; relocate the trail after it's gone missing; foil every effort to throw off your pursuit; coordinate a four-man team while tracking armed fugitives; set up and run large tracking operations, use the latest high-tech gear to find fugitives and more. Author David Scott-Donelan was a career soldier spanning almost three decades of active duty in the war zones of Rhodesia, South Africa, Mozambique, and South-West Africa/Namibia.

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