Canine SARTECH III – Area Search
Locate a single stationary subject in a pre-defined 40-60 acre area, within
1.5 hours, including breaks. A GPS may not be used. (This examination and certification meets or exceeds the criteria of FEMA 508-8
Typed Resource Definitions – Search and Rescue Resources 11/14/2005.)
Canine SARTECH II Area Search
A candidate may challenge one time and test to the CST2-Area. If they fail, they
must go back and take the CST3-Area and pass it before testing to the CST2-Area.
A GPS may be used.
- Non-Scent Discriminating Area Search: Locate a single stationary subject in a pre-defined 60-80 acre area, within 1.5
hours, including breaks. (This examination and certification meets or exceeds the criteria of FEMA 508-8
Typed Resource Definitions – Search and Rescue Resources 11/14/2005.)
- Scent Discriminating Area Search: Locate a single stationary subject (with 2 distracter decoys) in a pre-defined
60-80 acre area, within 1.5 hours, including breaks. (This examination and certification meets or exceeds the criteria of FEMA 508-8
Typed Resource Definitions – Search and Rescue Resources 11/14/2005.)
Canine SARTECH I Area Search
Candidate must have passed the Type II prior to testing the Type I. A GPS may
be used. (This examination and certification meets or exceeds the criteria of FEMA 508-8
Typed Resource Definitions – Search and Rescue Resources 11/14/2005.)
- Night Search: Locate a single stationary subject situated within an 80+/- acre area, within
2 hours, including breaks.
- Day Search: Locate two moving subjects located within a 140-160 acre area, within 4 hours,
including breaks.
Testing Criteria for the Canine SARTECH™ III, II and I Area Search Dog :
Handler Skills
Is the handler adequately attired and equipped?
Did the handler develop the appropriate strategy based on information acquired?
Did the handler articulate the dog’s alerts/indications prior to entering the
field?
Did the handler interpret the dog’s alert/indication in the field?
Did the handler articulate the dog’s final response?
Was the handler alert to visual clues?
Does the handler demonstrate good land navigation field skills?
Was the handler able to justify their search tactics?
Did the handler document the routes traveled?
Did the handler accurately debrief the task with an estimated P.O.D?
Was the handler able to articulate the relevant meteorology?
Is the handler in tune with their dog’s needs?
Does the handler have adequate endurance?
Is handler comfortable searching at night?
Dog Skills
Did the dog stay focused on the search?
Is the dog easily refocused after being distracted?
Is the dog willing to leave it’s handler to follow up a scent?
Does the dog search independently and effectively?
Did the dog make a self-directed find on subject 1?
Did the dog indicate to the handler that it had found subject 1?
Did the dog demonstrate its final response and direct the handler to the subject
1?
Did the dog make a self-directed find on subject 2?
Did the dog indicate to the handler that it had found subject 2?
Did the dog demonstrate its final response and direct the handler to subject
2?
Did the dog make a self-directed find on the night evaluation subject?
Did the dog indicate to the handler that it had found the night evaluation subject?
Did the dog demonstrate its final response and direct the handler to the night
evaluation subject?
Team Skills
Did the dog and handler make an effective team?
Did the dog demonstrate obedience through its reactions to handler commands?
Was the search completed within the time limit for the evaluation?