Caithness & Sutherland Search Team
Thurs 29/7/10 Training Report
Those members of the team available met on Dunnet head at 19:00hrs. David A placed a cadaver scent and David B put a casualty out for an open area search. The team were joined by a prospective new member and her 7 month old dog.
Search 1 - Human Remains - Polly and her handler John were tasked with searching a series of ruined buildings and the land between them. Accompanied by Safety Buddy david B they started their search. Polly worked well covering two of the buildings before picking up a scent at a distance of approximately 20 yards and moving to a third building where she gave a clear indication on an opening in the floor of the third building. Team Trqainer David A confirmed that this was the correct location for the sample he had placed earlier in the evening. The total search time for the three buildings was approximately 10 mintues.
Search 2 - Open Area - TeeDee and David A were tasked with locating an adult female missing for a couple of hours who was last seen walking up a path onto the summit of a small hill halfway across the headland. The search commenced where the path levelled out to cross the flat summit area. TeeDee set off at a steady pace and after approximately 1 1/2 minutes hit a scent and took off across the headland arriving at the casualty about 1/2 a mile from the start point and giving his usual standing bark indication in a total of 2 mins plus a few seconds. His Handler arrived a couple of minutes later wishing that he too had four legs instead of two.
Puppy training - The team retired to the car parking area where they had left the vehicles and our prospective new recruit ( four legged that is) played some simple games finding her favourite toy dropped in long grass. Trainer David A gave her owner a series of short drills to try with her over the next couple of weeks. For her first session this young bitch showed that she was having fun finding her toy and showed that when she could not see it she knew her nose was the next best tool. Let's hope this keeps going. Well done on day one.
Tracking Trainee Stroma was back today having recovered from surgery on her ear and will return to training soon.
Training Report Sunday 25/7/10
Sunday, 25 July 2010 23:38 | Written by John Glen |
The day was spent in pleasant warm conditions and covered four elements of CASST's possible abilities. The work of the day consisted of search planning and area risk assessment work as well as a series of searches. Search 1 & 2 - Human Remains Detection Polly and handler John were tasked to search two areas of ruined buildings near the top of Dunnet Head. Each search lasted for approximately 20 minutes with a clear positive indication given by Polly on both occasions. The Training Officer had some advice for the handler on close work with the dog and striking the best balance between allowing intuitive work and directed work on the first search debrief. This change of technique worked well on the second search. Search 3 - Open Area TeeDee and handler David A were tasked to search an open area of moorland near the top of Dunnet Head. Working a complex search pattern with changing wind conditions TeeDee located his casualty within 10 minutes having covered an area some 300m wide and with a boundary set at approximately 1 mile in length. Heavy gorse, ruined buildings and steep slopes made no difference to this veteran of Stockline who still acts with the enthusiasm and energy of a pup. Search 4,5 & 6 - Casualty Tracking Ellie and handler David A worked with John and David B on developing Ellie's tracking skills. David B is about to begin work on training a specialist tracking dog for the group and this gave him an opportunity to see the theory and practice of early stage training in working with your dog and the theory of laying training tracks, Ellis worked beautifully on the long lead and tracking harness covering at present early distances of 30 to 50m easily and with great enthusiasm. David A was pleased with her progress in this new discipline for her. Search 7 - Property Search TeeDee and David A were tasked to recover a box 2"x2"x1/2" in a field of approx 5 acres. TeeDee was on form locating the missing item in between 15 to 20 mins. The team relocated to new property we have been given access to near Mey to examine the potential search area. The mix of moorland and peat bog is not greatly different to many of the sites we train in, but, would provide an excellent site for open area assessment as well as advanced tracking activites. At the end of about 4 hours work the team decided to call todays activities to a close. Watch this space for the next planned activity.
Last Updated (Sunday, 25 July 2010 23:39) We Need Volunteers
Thursday, 08 April 2010 00:00 | Written by John Glen |
Caithness and Sutherland Search Team is entirely made up of volunteers from many walks of life. From retired police officers and military personnel to teachers, chefs, shop staff, students (over 18), and others. We work hard to get the skills we need in radio communications, first aid, sign language, National Standards for Disaster Management, in short anything we might need to make us better equipped to help. This is a tough activity for many people to be involved with and takes years of training to get right. If you think you have the patience to join us and persevere through the steep learning curve, we would love to hear from you. Most people join us in the hope that one day they will be a dog handler, it is possible, but, it takes a lot of time and hard work as all those who have done it in the past will tell you. An understanding and supportive family help. (The smell of wet dog and muddy handler is not for everyone!) If you are interested then contact us on : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Last Updated (Thursday, 08 April 2010 00:05) |
Training Day
Friday, 23 July 2010 10:14 | Written by Val Ashpool |
A reminder to all that Sunday is a training day. Meeting at the car park on the way to Dunnet Head 1200hrs. Full kit as there may be building search work AGM Election Results
Sunday, 11 July 2010 22:07 | Written by Sarah Glen |
Honorary President - Lady Marion Thurso Chairman - Val Ashpool Secretary - Sarah Glen Treasurer - John Glen Contact information for the office bearers is on the committee page. The team would like to thank Lady Marion for remaining as our Honorary President. Last Updated (Sunday, 11 July 2010 22:26) |
