MY THOUGHTS ARE ALWAYS FOCUSED ON WHAT IS GOING ON NOW.
GOD BLESS ALL INVOLVED IN THE HEROIC RESCUE WORK, TO THE FBI, MAY GOD GRANT THEM ALL THE INFORMATION AND EVIDANCE THEY NEED.
GOD BLESS THE USA.
IN REALITY IF YOU ARE THINKING OF GETTING INVOLVED WITH A GROUP, YOU MUST RESEARCH DEEPLY.
REALIZE THAT YOU WILL BE WORKING YOUR DOG FOR AT LEAST 2 YEARS BEFORE YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO BE IN THE FIELD WITH YOUR DOG.
THIS IS NOT LIKE AKC EVENTS THAT MAY TAKE MONTHS, THIS TAKES YEARS TO PREPARE FOR.
MANY PEOPLE ARE REQUIRED BY SOME UNITS TO BE ON APPRENTICE PROGRAMS WHERE THE FIRST 6 MONTHS ARE SPENT STUDYING MAP AND COMPASS, FIRST AIDE, CPR, AND MORE,NOT WORKING THEIR DOG UNTIL THESE REQUIRMENTS ARE MET. PLUS BEING THE VICTIM FOR THE SEASONED HANDLERS, WHEN SOME GET INTO THIS AND LEARN THAT THIS MAY BE EXPECTED THEY ARE OF THE ATTITUDE THAT THEY ARE BEING "USED" OF ALL THINGS.
IF A PERSON IS TRULY INTERESTED IN THIS WORK THEY MUST BE WILLING TO LEARN, TO SACRIFICE, AND TO BE OF THE MOST DEDICATED OF PERSONALITIES.
YOU CAN LEARN SO MUCH FROM BACKING UP A SEASONED HANDLER. YOU CAN ALSO LEARN MUCH BY BEING THE "VICTIM" FOR THE OTHERS DOGS, BY BEING THE "VICTIM" YOU CAN WATCH AS THE DOGS WORK OUT THE SCENT CONE AND SEE THE BODY LANGUAGE USED BY VARIOUSE BREEDS AND INDIVIDUAL DOGS.
THIS WORK WILL CONSUME YOU AND TAKE AWAY FROM FAMILY TIME, FUN TIME, AND SOCIALIZING TIME,.
REMEMBER FIRST AND FOREMOST
"SEARCH AND RESCUE IS NOT A CLUB"
A LOT OF PEOPLE GET INTO THIS AND THINK THIS IS A SOCIAL CLUB, LIKE THE AKC CLUBS SET UP FOR OBEDIENCE AND BREED SPECIFIC.
THIS IS HARD WORK, SWEAT AND TEARS.
EACH REGION WILL SPECIALIZE IN CERTAIN SPECIALTIES.
BE IT AVALANCHE, DESERT, CANYON, MOUNTAINS, RIVERS, LAKES, ETC........
EACH UNIT MAY HAVE DIFFERENT EXPECTATIONS OF A HANDLER.
A LOT OF UNITS OPERATE VOLUNTARILY, AND ALL EXPENSES COME OUT OF YOUR POCKET, GEAR COSTS MONEY, FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR DOG.
YOU ARE NOT ALWAYS PUT IN THE HOTSPOT, AND MANY DO NOT MAKE THEIR FIRST FIND FOR A FEW YEARS.
WHEN A DOG CLEARS AN AREA (CADAVER SEARCH) AND MAKES AN ALERT, A BACKUP DOG IS STANDING BY TO WORK THE SAME AREA.TO BE SURE THAT BOTH DOGS ALERT. IT IS SAID THAT A DOG IS 40% CORRECT, SO A BACKUP THAT ALSO ALERTS WOULD MEAN THAT THEY ARE 80% CORRECT THAT THERE IS A VICTIM.
NOW SOME MAY BE OF ANOTHER OPINION ON THE ACCURACY OF INDIVIDUAL DOGS, READ UP ON THE SUBJECT AND TALK TO KNOWLEGABLE PEOPLE.
This article was written by Bob Wells and permission was granted by himself for me to give this article to any people that wrote me and asked how to be a victim for search and rescue teams.
THANK YOU BOB!
Thank you for your interest in being a victim. Our job is made easier with the help and support of people like you. Being a victim is easy. The most important thing is to listen and follow the directions of the handler you are hiding for.
WHAT TO WEAR:
Long pants-even in summer, they protect your legs. Sturdy shoes, tennis shoes or hiking boots. In wet weather, wear shoes you dont mind getting muddy and a hat. Water proof hiking boots are great.
WHAT TO BRING:
Water bottle (mandatory)- in summer you can freeze the water in the bottle. As it thaws, you have cold water.
Sunscreen
Bug Spray
If you have a camp stool or folding chair you might want to bring that to sit on. A book or magazine.
HOW YOU MIGHT HIDE:
Sitting behind a tree or bush.
Standing
Laying on the ground (a tarp or towel to lay on is nice)
Sitting in a low tree
WHAT TO DO WHEN FOUND:
All the dogs get a reward for a find. Most dogs are rewarded with a toy, or food reward.
Tracking dogs will be on lead with the handler right behind.
Reward the dog as the handler has instructed.
Airscenting dogs work off lead. When they find you the first time, ignore them. They will go to the handler and bring the handler in to you. Then reward the dog as the handler has instructed.
If the handler has special instructions, he or she will tell you before you begin. Always listen to the handler.
MORE THINGS TO KNOW:
Sign in each time.
For those dogs using a scent article, tuch a gauze pad or napkin in your shirt. Than place it in a plastic bag, seal and give to the handler.
The team will supply you with these materials.
An experienced person will help you hide the first few times. You may have a radio, so you can always be in contact with the team. Do not turn the radio off while in the field. Ask questions if you do not understand exactly where to go or what to do. Until you are found, stay in place and do not move around unless you are specifically instructed to do so. Always be safety conscious. Watch where you walk, and last,
BE PATIENT!!
I hope that some day some of you who read this will find this handy. Being a victim is one of the best jobs a person on a unit can have. It is great experience and excersise. I especially enjoy being the victim as it is quiet time spent in the woods listening to the quiet and the sounds of nature.
It also teaches you to be observant of your surroundings, wich may some day come in handy.
