Search and Rescue K9 scent theory. This presentation was designed to help canine handlers in a wilderness setting understand what scent may be doing, essential for setting their dog up for success and make the find.
Phase 8 Hope For Venezuelan Refugees Soup Meal Program-Periods 4-6.
Scent Theory
1. Scent Theory
sniff sniff sniff sniff
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3. What is a Skin Raft?
cornflake like skin cell clusters that may also
have:
bacteria, fungi, parasites
sweat, enzymes, hormones
personal hygiene products
4. Some are lighter than air and travel far
in air currents
Some are heavier and settle on the
ground
5. Bacteria that feed on skin rafts are different
for every person
Dogs can smell the difference
6. So how does scent move?
Skin rafts are carried in currents of air
Pay attention to the movement of air
10. Micro effects
Your sector down to where you are
standing
scent can move in different directions
within a few feet
movement can be different at dog’s
nose level
15. Types of Air Movements
knowing different patterns of air movement will
help you:
correctly analyze potential problems
--So you can--
Set your dog up for success
18. Coning Plumes
movement of scent from subject
downwind in the shape of a cone
during cloud covered days or nights
travels long distances
ideal for dogs
20. Fumigating Scent
in the morning before sunup
scents travel down valleys like water
subjects on a hill can be detected by
dog down below
Get dogs out before sunrise
22. Lofting
after sun sets
ground is cooling but aloft air is warm
usually valleys first then other areas
later on
Work dogs on the high ground in the
evening
24. Fanning Plumes
at night in stable air
scent holds at the same elevation level
dog may alert across a canyon at the
same level, but cant find a person
Report your alerts
28. Eddying Scent
circular air forms behind an object
prevents scent from traveling along
prevailing wind
example: eddies form at a line of trees
next to an open field
30. Looping Plumes
clear sky or with high clouds
at midday, a high convection situation
scent rises, cools, falls, heats up, rises,
cools, falls, etc.
Dog will alert by putting his head up,
but will lose the scent.
32. Chimney Effect
air currents move straight up an object
alerts may occur nearby -but-
makes it impossible for dog to find
subject
check around tall objects in the area
34. Thermocline
cause by significant temperature and
humidity differences in short distances
changes in elevation
drastic changes in shade and sunny
spots
creates a wall like barrier of scent
36. What affects scent movement?
wind
humidity
time of day
temperature
weather
terrain
vegetation
time of year
obstacles
thermals
37. Use what you know in HOW you search
A search dog team will prefer to search into the wind
Zigzagging into the wind on small areas
parallel sweeps across the wind on larger areas often
along ridges and downhill with normal daytime
updrafts
38. See you in the woods!
WOO
F!
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