NCJ Number
157651
Journal
Gazette Volume: 57 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1995) Pages: 20-22
Date Published
1995
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Avalanches constitute an unavoidable hazard in the mountains of Canada, and searches for avalanche victims may involve search and rescue (SAR) teams using probelines or dogs.
Abstract
Properly trained and certified avalanche SAR dog teams can be quite efficient. A dog team can do a "course" search of an area approximately 1 hectare square in about 30 minutes or do a "fine" search in 1 to 2 hours. In contrast, it would take SAR groups relying on probelines about 4 hours and 20 hours, respectively, to accomplish the same tasks. In British Columbia and Alberta, various Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) canine units are trained in avalanche rescue. RCMP units, however, are generally located in urban areas and are limited in number. Consequently, volunteer avalanche SAR dog teams, frequently located in rural areas, constitute an invaluable resource. The Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association (CARDA) is dedicated to saving the lives of avalanche victims, and CARDA members are part of the provincial emergency management program in British Columbia. In conjunction with the RCMP, British Columbia has developed certification standards for volunteer avalanche SAR dogs and has established training and testing procedures for volunteer SAR dog teams. 4 photographs