SASSpecialist-trained search dogs are to support the Scottish Ambulance Service in rescuing and locating missing people around lochs and rivers.
The new squad, made up entirely of labradors, will support the Service’s Special Operations Response Team (SORT) during rescue operations.
The dogs have been trained by volunteers from Central K-9 Search and Rescue (SAR).
The initiative is being led by SORT paramedic Steve Band, who works alongside a team of four handlers and their dogs, including his own Labrador, Poppy.
He said the idea came from his experience attending water-related incidents.
“While working with the SORT team at various water incidents, it became apparent that to speed up the process of clearing riverbanks and wooded areas beside water obstacles, that a search and rescue dog would be ideal to assist in this task”, he said.
SAS“The dogs’ primary aim is to assist in clearing areas at a water incident, allowing the small number of specially trained Swift Water Rescue Technicians from both the Ambulance SORT and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to focus on working in the water rather than trying to fight through dense undergrowth at an incident.”
At present, the dog teams will operate mainly across the central belt and Fife, but there are plans to expand the service.
The dog teams can be called out by SORT team leaders when additional search support is required at incidents.
Each deployment will typically involve a team of two people and one dog, including a handler and a search technician.
The handler focuses on directing the dog and interpreting signals, while the technician manages communications, tracks locations and monitors safety.
Steve said additional dogs and handlers are due to begin training in the coming months, with the aim of eventually covering SORT operations across the east, west and north of Scotland.
“We are working on expanding to more over time to be able to cover all SORT areas in the East, West and North”, he added.
“Our operations are currently restricted to the central belt and Fife but will expand to cover all SORT areas as more dog teams are trained and become available.
“Dog teams will normally consist of a team of two people and one dog.
“This includes the primary dog handler and a search technician, who will keep track of location, communications and watch out for hazards for the dog handler.
“The primary dog handler is focused on watching the dog for signals and directing them to cover the tasked search area.”
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