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.