WBR Snowbird hosts Level A dog test for the Canyons ski patrol

On February 20th, 2010 WBR Snowbird hosted a Level A dog test for the Canyons Ski Patrol team.  WBR has pioneered the U.S. Standard for avalanche dog testing.  Currently, in all avalanche dog tests, WBR adheres to the current WBR validation rules, levels of verification, and uses a standardized test evaluation form.

VALIDATION RULES

To remain in the program a Candidate Team must pass obedience and search test within 18 months from the date of acceptance.

To remain in the program a Level B Team must certify for Level A within 1 year of achieving Level B status.

To remain on the callout list, dog teams must renew their WBR certification, on a biennial basis, by 12/31 of the current season.

To remain on the callout list, dogs older than eight years old must renew annually.

BIENNIAL VALIDATION

Testing for Levels A & B will be held during the winter season. The handlers will be expected to stay current with their validations and contact the Dog Committee to set up testing.

Testing times are early season with each member ski area helping with the testing site preparation. Dog teams must renew their WBR certification, on a biennial basis, by 12/31 of the current season.

No more than two failures will be allowed during one season.

STANDARDS FOR EVALUATION

1. Number of evaluators shall include at least two from a different agency.
2. Any protest of the test scenario shall be presented and considered prior to the test, e.g. presence of smoke, fuel or female dog in heat.
3. No team with a female dog in heat will be allowed to test with other teams present.
4. All evaluators are answerable to the WBR Officers and may be dismissed by the same.  However, all test results are final and may not be reversed by WBR.
5. Selection of an evaluator is by unanimous agreement of the WBR Dog Committee.
6. All teams testing will be given fair and equal test situation. Teams will not test on the same day on a previously used site.

GENERAL FORMAT – TEST SITE

1. Test area shall be at most 100 yards square, unless snow conditions dictate otherwise.
2. The perimeter shall be adequately marked.
3. The entire test area shall be disturbed, and there shall be four fake contaminated burial sites within the test area.
4. Victims shall be buried 3-5 feet deep.
5. Burial of victims shall be in a manner which will leave no visual clues for the testing team. Area disturbance shall be uniform.
6. There shall be no surface clues.
7. There shall be 2 properly scented articles of proper materials placed at least a day in advance, 12-18 inches deep, in line with the victims.
8. No article belonging to the testing teams will be allowed in the hole.
9. Victim(s) must be unknown to the dog of the testing team.
10. To prevent tracking, “victims and shovelers” will enter from above the test site and from the windward side if possible.
11. Handlers shall be allowed to probe for victims. Victims shall be protected with a helmet and adequate padding or other protective cover over the body to prevent injury.
12. Shovelers, evaluators, and ski equipment shall be placed where it will not cue the testing team.
13. Shoveler shall not alert the handler about the dog’s interest, alerts, or indications.
14. Site preparation, including victims’ holes, shall be done at least one day in advance of the test day to minimize the residual scent at the burial sites.
15. There shall be one article buried outside the path to reward the dog with upon test’s conclusion.

LEVELS OF VERIFICATION

AA.  OPERATIONAL – Advanced Search

This test will become the level A test if/when WBR is comfortable with its implementation.  The testing criteria and site are the same as the current level A test, but a dog team must clear the slope of an undetermined number of victims (0-3).

A.    OPERATIONAL – Advanced Search

Two subjects plus clothing articles buried out of sight of test team in moderate depth snow(3-5 feet) for a minimum of ten minutes in a simulated avalanche site at most 100 yards square, less if conditions dictate.  The handler and dog must approach and navigate rapidly and carefully, despite radio interruptions and people in the area.  They need not locate the clothing articles.  The team must find all of the live victims in the allotted time of 20 minutes. Finding only one victim does not qualify for a level A rating.  Prior to testing, the handler should be able to describe to evaluators the body language their dog will display when signaling a “find”.

B.    EMERGENCY – Intermediate Search

Subject buried out of test team’s sight in moderate depth snow (3-5 feet) for a minimum of ten minutes in a simulated avalanche deposition site at most 100 yards square.  The handler and dog must approach and navigate rapidly and carefully, locating the victim within 20 minutes, with strong indication and enthusiastic digging.  Level B testing is not a required “stepping stone”.  A team may elect to test for level A without having tested for level B, if the handler feels that the team is ready.

C.    CANDIDATE – Basic Search

Test handler in shallow hole with light snow cover is sight of dog.  Look for strong indication, desire to dig, and response to reward system.  Basic obedience skills, sociability and handler control should be evident.

Below is a outline of the test results, along with pics of the team in action.  Congratulations to Pete, Voodoo, and Paul from the Canyons for passing their Level A Rescue test at Snowbird.       

LEVEL A TEST: February 20th, 2010

TEST AREA: Mineral Basin Snowbird: Endora Bench

TESTING: RESCUE DOG TEAM: The Canyons: Handler: Pete  K9: Voodoo  Rescuer: Paul

LEVEL A: PASS

SITUATION: High Clouds: Light winds. 2 Live burials and 1 Article

TIMES: Rescue team arrives at test site

            Interview the Witness : 1 minute

            First Find: Victim #1: @ 6 minutes

            Second Find: Victim #2: @ 8 minutes

            Scented Article found: 12 minutes.