Contra Costa Search & Rescue

Air Scent Dogs

Air scent dogs are trained to locate a subject within a particular search area. The dogs are trained to find any and all people that may be in the area. An air scent dog team can cover a larger area than a team of (human) ground searchers, and because of the dog's size and agility, can better search areas with heavy vegetation and rough terrain.

The dog's handler directs the dog using voice commands and hand signals. Once the dog locates a human scent, it will try to follow the scent back to the subject. Once the dog has located the subject, it will return to the handler, alert the handler that it has made a find, and lead the handler back to the subject. Many of the dogs used in wilderness search and rescue carry a small object called a bringsel attached to their collars. When the dog locates the subject, it will grab the bringsel with its mouth and run back to the handler to indicate that it has made the find. The dog will then take the handler back to the subject.

In addition to basic search skills, many air scent dogs and handlers are also trained in a variety of specialty skills such as disaster, avalanche, water, cadaver, and evidence searching.

Disaster Dogs

Disaster dogs are trained to search the debris and rubble after an earthquake or other disaster. In these situations, the handlers typically work quite close to the dogs. Based on the type of alert the dog gives, the handler can usually determine if the dog is alerting to a live subject trapped in the rubble. Several handlers have mentioned that their dogs give a louder, more urgent bark if the person trapped is still alive, but give more reserved bark or whimper if the victim is no longer alive.

Avalanche Dogs

Avalanche dogs are trained to locate victims buried in the snow after an avalanche. The dog and handler work together much like the disaster dog teams do.

Cadaver Dogs

Some air scent dogs are also trained to locate deceased persons. This ability is useful in criminal investigations. Not only can buried remains be located, but the dogs can also indicate if human remains have been transported in a particular vehicle or were present in a specific location.

Evidence Dogs

In an evidence search, a specially trained dog and handler search an area for evidence such as guns or knives.

Updated July 20, 1998