ASTM F3070-14(2022)

Standard Guide for Evaluating Area Search Dog Crews or Teams

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 An area search dog crew or team is required to have, at a minimum, the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined within this document.  
4.1.1 An area search dog crew or team which meets the requirements in this guide is a Canine Search Resource of the category Area Search Dog as defined in Classification F1848 for Canine Search Resources.  
4.1.2 Additional differentiation of the specific Canine Search Resource is defined in Classification F1848 for Canine Search Resources.  
4.2 This guide only establishes the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities required for an area search dog crew or team to perform area searches. No other skills are included or implied.  
4.3 This guide is an outline of the topics required for training or evaluating an area search dog team or crew, and may be used to assist in the development of a training document or program.  
4.4 This guide can be used to evaluate a document to determine if its content includes the topics necessary for training area search dog crews or teams. Likewise, this guide can be used to evaluate an existing training program to see if it meets the requirements in this guide.  
4.5 The knowledge, skills, and abilities presented in this guide are not in any particular order and do not represent a training sequence.  
4.6 Though this guide establishes minimum training requirements, it does not imply that an area search dog team or crew is a “trainee,” “probationary,” or other similarly termed part of an organization.  
4.6.1 The AHJ is responsible for determining the requirements and qualifications for its member ratings.  
4.7 An area search dog crew or team shall document training by completion of a position task book, compliant with Guide F3068, or by field demonstration under qualified supervision. Where proficiency in a skill or ability must be demonstrated, unless stated otherwise it shall be demonstrated for initial qualification, and then as often as required by the AHJ.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide defines the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for a dog crew or team to perform an area search.  
1.2 Area search dog crews or teams perform searches on the surface of the land, including open urban or wilderness areas, as well as mountainous terrain and alpine environments.  
1.2.1 Additional training shall be required for area search dog crews or teams that search in mountainous terrain, alpine environments, or underground.  
1.3 This guide does not include the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to search in partially or fully collapsed structures, confined spaces, or on bodies of water, inland or oceanic.  
1.4 Area search dog crews or teams trained to meet the requirements of this guide may operate in urban and disaster areas that may be isolated or have lost their infrastructure.  
1.5 Area search dog crews or teams must work under qualified supervision deemed appropriate by the AHJ.  
1.6 This guide does not provide a theoretical basis for how an area search dog crew or team functions.  
1.7 Search dog crews or teams are eligible to be members of Type I and II SAR crews or teams of the following Kinds, as defined in Classification F1993:  
1.7.1 Kind A (Wilderness),  
1.7.2 Kind B (Urban),  
1.7.3 Kind C (Mountainous),  
1.7.4 Kind G (Cave),  
1.7.5 Kind H (Mine),  
1.7.6 Kind I (Avalanche),  
1.7.7 Kind K (Aircraft), and  
1.7.8 Kind L (Unclassified).  
1.8 Further training may be required before an area search dog crew or team can fully participate on a particular Type and Kind of team or crew, based on specific local needs, regulations, or policies.  
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.10 This international standard was develop...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2022
• ICS: 11.160 - First aid
• ICS: 13.200 - Accident and disaster control
• Technical Committee: F32 - Search and Rescue
• Drafting Committee: F32.02 - Management and Operations

Relations

• Refers: ASTM F1993-24 - Standard Classification System of Human Land Search and Rescue Resources
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Refers: ASTM F3072-14(2020) - Standard Guide for Intermediate Wilderness GPS/GNSS Use (GPS/GNSS-IIW) Endorsement
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM F1879-14 - Standard Guide for Demonstrating Obedience and Agility in Search and Rescue Dogs
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Refers: ASTM F3072-14 - Standard Guide for Intermediate Wilderness GPS/GNSS Use (GPS/GNSS-IIW) Endorsement
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2014
• Refers: ASTM F1847-98(2012) - Standard Guide for Demonstrating Minimum Skills of Search and Rescue Dogs and Handlers
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2012
• Refers: ASTM F1848-98(2012) - Standard Classification for Search and Rescue Dog Crew/Teams
• Effective Date: 01-May-2012
• Refers: ASTM F2209-10 - Standard Guide for Training of Level I Land Search Team Member
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010
• Refers: ASTM F1633-97(2008) - Standard Guide for Techniques in Land Search (Withdrawn 2017)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Refers: ASTM F2685-07 - Standard Guide for Training of a Level II Land Search Team Member
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2007
• Refers: ASTM F1848-98(2005) - Standard Classification for Search and Rescue Dog Crew/Teams
• Effective Date: 15-Aug-2005
• Refers: ASTM F1993-99(2005) - Standard Classification of Human Search and Rescue Resources (Withdrawn 2014)
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2005
• Refers: ASTM F1847-98(2005) - Standard Guide for Demonstrating Minimum Skills of Search and Rescue Dogs and Handlers
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2005
• Refers: ASTM F1879-98(2005) - Standard Guide for Demonstrating Obedience and Agility in Search and Rescue Dogs (Withdrawn 2014)
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2005
• Refers: ASTM F1633-97(2003) - Standard Guide for Techniques in Land Search
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2003
• Refers: ASTM F2209-03 - Standard Guide for Training of Level I Land Search Team Member
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-2003

Overview

ASTM F3070-14(2022), Standard Guide for Evaluating Area Search Dog Crews or Teams, specifies the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities required for a dog crew or team to competently perform area search operations. This international standard, developed by ASTM International, provides guidance for evaluating, training, and qualifying area search dog crews or teams - specifically those categorized as Area Search Dogs under other ASTM canine search classifications. The guide focuses on land-based search and rescue (SAR) operations in environments such as open urban, wilderness, mountainous, and alpine areas, but does not address operations in collapsed structures, confined spaces, or water environments.

Key Topics

• Knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs): Outlines the foundational requirements for area search dog handlers and canines, including basic SAR knowledge, handling skills, navigation, and communication.
• Search environments: Covers open land scenarios - urban, wilderness, mountainous, and alpine terrains. Additional training is recommended for operations in particularly challenging environments (e.g., caves, mines, avalanches).
• Evaluation outline: Provides a framework for developing training programs or evaluating existing documentation, ensuring all essential competencies are addressed.
• Documentation requirements: Mandates the use of a training log or position task book to document proficiency, training exercises, and deployments. Regular updates and demonstration of skills under supervision are required.
• Minimum operational standards: Establishes essential performance outcomes, such as the ability to successfully locate subjects via air scent methods within a specified time and under various environmental conditions.
• Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ): Emphasizes the responsibility of the AHJ to determine final qualification, ratings, and the frequency of proficiency demonstrations.

Applications

• Search and Rescue Organizations: Use this standard to verify the readiness and ongoing competency of area search dog teams before deployment in missing persons or disaster operations.
• Training program development: Develop or review comprehensive SAR canine training curriculums based on the outlined KSAs, ensuring compliance with recognized best practices.
• Certification and assessment: Implement standardized field evaluations and scenario-based testing for area search dogs and handlers, supporting both initial qualification and periodic reassessment.
• Operational deployment: Equip SAR teams to safely and effectively participate in Type I and II incident responses across a range of environments, including wilderness, urban, mountain, cave, mine, avalanche, aircraft, and unclassified settings.
• Resource classification: Aligns with ASTM Classification F1848 for Canine Search Resources and F1993 for Human Land Search and Rescue Resources, enhancing mutual aid and resource typing at regional and national levels.

Related Standards

• ASTM F1848: Classification System for Canine Search Resources - defines canine resource categories.
• ASTM F1847: Guide for Minimum Training of Search Dog Crews or Teams - foundational KSAs.
• ASTM F1993: Classification System of Human Land Search and Rescue Resources - resource typing.
• ASTM F3068: Guide for Contents and Use of a Position Task Book (PTB) - documentation of training.
• ASTM F3072: Guide for Intermediate Wilderness GPS/GNSS Use (GPS/GNSS-IIW) Endorsement - navigation skills.
• SWGDOG SC1: Terminology for detection dog disciplines.
• Other related guides encompass SAR team leadership, obedience and agility demonstrations, and search techniques.

Practical Value

ASTM F3070-14(2022) is a vital reference for any organization involved with canine search and rescue. By adhering to these minimum standards, SAR teams ensure their area search dog crews are consistently trained, accurately evaluated, and fully prepared for operational deployment. This results in more effective search missions, better team safety, and improved outcomes for missing persons and disaster victims.

Keywords: area search dog, canine search resource, search and rescue (SAR), ASTM F3070, training requirements, operational evaluation, search dog team, K9 search standards, qualification, disaster response, KSAs, SAR documentation.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F3070 − 14 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Guide for
Evaluating Area Search Dog Crews or Teams
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3070; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This guide defines the knowledge, skills, and abilities
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
required for a dog crew or team to perform an area search.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
1.2 Area search dog crews or teams perform searches on the
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
surface of the land, including open urban or wilderness areas,
1.10 This international standard was developed in accor-
as well as mountainous terrain and alpine environments.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.2.1 Additional training shall be required for area search
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
dog crews or teams that search in mountainous terrain, alpine
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
environments, or underground.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.3 This guide does not include the knowledge, skills, and Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
abilities required to search in partially or fully collapsed
2. Referenced Documents
structures, confined spaces, or on bodies of water, inland or
oceanic.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F1633 Guide for Techniques in Land Search (Withdrawn
1.4 Area search dog crews or teams trained to meet the
2017)
requirements of this guide may operate in urban and disaster
F1847 GuideforMinimumTrainingofSearchDogCrewsor
areas that may be isolated or have lost their infrastructure.
Teams
1.5 Area search dog crews or teams must work under
F1848 Classification System for Canine Search Resources
qualified supervision deemed appropriate by the AHJ.
F1879 Guide for Demonstrating Obedience and Agility in
1.6 This guide does not provide a theoretical basis for how
Search and Rescue Dogs
an area search dog crew or team functions.
F1993 Classification System of Human Land Search and
Rescue Resources
1.7 Search dog crews or teams are eligible to be members of
F2209 Guide for Training of Land Search Team Member
Type I and II SAR crews or teams of the following Kinds, as
F2685 Guide for Training of a Land Search Team Leader
defined in Classification F1993:
(STL)
1.7.1 Kind A (Wilderness),
F3068 Guide for Contents and Use of a Position Task Book
1.7.2 Kind B (Urban),
(PTB)
1.7.3 Kind C (Mountainous),
F3072 Guide for Intermediate Wilderness GPS/GNSS Use
1.7.4 Kind G (Cave),
(GPS/GNSS-IIW) Endorsement
1.7.5 Kind H (Mine),
2.2 Other References:
1.7.6 Kind I (Avalanche),
SWGDOG SC1 Terminology
1.7.7 Kind K (Aircraft), and
WorkCapacityTestingforWildlandFirefighters, TheUnited
1.7.8 Kind L (Unclassified).
States Department of Agriculture (March 2002)
1.8 Further training may be required before an area search
dog crew or team can fully participate on a particular Type and
3. Terminology
Kind of team or crew, based on specific local needs,
3.1 Definitions:
regulations, or policies.
1 2
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Search and For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.02 on Management and contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Operations. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved July 1, 2022. Published July 2022. Originally approved the ASTM website.
in 2014. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as F3070 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/ The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
F3070-14R22. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F3070 − 14 (2022)
3.1.1 air scent dog, n—a search dog trained to detect human 4.6.1 The AHJ is responsible for determining the require-
scent by air scenting. ments and qualifications for its member ratings.
3.1.2 air scenting, v—a search dog action whereby a dog 4.7 An area search dog crew or team shall document
attempts to detect the presence of human scent in air currents
training by completion of a position task book, compliant with
and, if found, follow that airborne scent to its source. Guide F3068, or by field demonstration under qualified super-
vision. Where proficiency in a skill or ability must be
3.1.3 area search, v—the act of using a dog to search a
demonstrated, unless stated otherwise it shall be demonstrated
designated area for a target odor.
for initial qualification, and then as often as required by the
3.1.4 decoy, n—a person in the search area who does not
AHJ.
match the target odor.
3.1.5 scent, v—the act of providing the odor or smell of the
5. General Knowledge
search subject to a scent-discriminating search dog.
5.1 The handler and the canine members of a search dog
3.1.6 search dog team (search dog crew), n—a single dog
crew or team shall meet the requirements of Guide F1847 for
and handler (and support personnel if used) that operate in the
Minimum Training of Search Dog Crews or Teams.
field as a single resource.
5.2 The canine member of a search dog crew or team shall
3.1.7 trail, n—a manmade footpath used for hiking,
meet the requirements of Guide F1879 for Demonstrating
walking, biking, etc. that traverses a non-urban area of land.
Obedience and Agility in Search and Rescue Dogs.
3.1.8 training log, n—a search dog handler’s written record
5.3 The canine handler shall have a Guide F3072 for
which documents all personal and canine training, including
Intermediate Wilderness GPS/GNSS Use (GPS/GNSS-IIW)
exercises and missions.
Endorsement.
3.2 Terminology not defined in this classification, but in-
cluded in this guide, may be found in Guide F1847 and
6. Handler-Specific Area Search Skills and Abilities
Reference SWGDOG SC1.
6.1 The handler shall be competent in the application of
common effectors of air scent dynamics to area search,
4. Significance and Use
including but not limited to:
4.1 An area search dog crew or team is required to have, at 6.1.1 Weather,
a minimum, the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined within
6.1.2 Topography,
this document. 6.1.3 Time of day,
4.1.1 An area search dog crew or team which meets the
6.1.4 Season, and
requirements in this guide is a Canine Search Resource of the
6.1.5 Scent source duration, that is, the amount of time the
category Area Search Dog as defined in Classification F1848
subject has been in place.
for Canine Search Resources.
6.2 The handler shall be competent in the recognition and
4.1.2 Additional differentiation of the specific Canine
prediction of air scent movement through topography and the
Search Resource is defined in Classification F1848 for Canine
local flora for the operational area that the dog team typically
Search Resources.
works.
4.2 This guide only establishes the minimum knowledge,
6.3 The handler shall be able to develop an effective
skills, and abilities required for an area search dog crew or
strategy to search the area based on topography, environment,
team to perform area searches. No other skills are included or
and the overall mission goals.
implied.
6.4 The AHJ shall determine the physical performance
4.3 This guide is an outline of the topics required for
requirements for dog teams’ members and develop appropriate
training or evaluating an area search dog team or crew, and
performance measurements.
may be used to assist in the development of a training
6.4.1 The recommended minimum physical performance
document or program.
requirements for canine handlers fielding as a member of an
4.4 This guide can be used to evaluate a document to Area Search Dog Crew or Team is the “Moderate” level as
defined in “Work Capacity Testing for Wildland Firefighters”
determine if its content includes the topics necessary for
training area search dog crews or teams. Likewise, this guide (Appendix X2), or meet the fitness requirements specified by
the AHJ.
can be used to evaluate an existing training program to see if
it meets the requirements in this guide.
6.5 The handler shall be competent in debriefing relative to
4.5 The knowledge, skills, and abilities presented in this the Area Search Dog Crew’s or Team’s performance during
guide are not in any particular order and do not represent a their operational period.
training sequence.
7. Specific Skills and Abilities for Area Search Dog
4.6 Though this guide establishes minimum training
Crews or Teams
requirements, it does not imply that an area search dog team or
crew is a “trainee,” “probationary,” or other similarly termed 7.1 Area search dog crew or team shall demonstrate the
part of an organization. ability to operate safely, effectively, and efficiently for the
F3070 − 14 (2022)
minimumoperationalperiodbasedontheTypeofthedogcrew 7.6 Area search dog crews or teams shall demonstrate the
or team as set forth in Classification F1848 for Canine Search ability to quickly and efficiently locate a subject near an
Resources. established trail using air scenting.
7.6.1 The subject must be located in2hor less.
7.2 Area search dog crews or teams shall demonstrate
7.6.2 The test area shall be a trail approximately 1 mile
competency at a frequency identified by the AHJ.
(~1.6 km) long in moderate terrain representative of that in the
7.3 Area search dog crews or teams shall be able to operate
area search dog crew’s or team’s normal area of operations,
in all seasons in the normal area of operations.
where the air flow is limited by vegetation.
7.6.3 The search subject shall be hidden within 30 to 50 ft
7.4 Area search dog crews or teams shall demonstrate the
(9 to 15 m) of the trail.
ability to quickly and efficiently locate one or more subjects
7.6.4 The dog team shall be limited to one pass down the
using air scenting during area search during the day.
trail and back, that is, from start point to end point, and back to
7.4.1 Scent-specificArea Search Dog Teams or Crews shall
the start point.
demonstrate the ability to locate a single target subject with a
7.6.5 The handler shall remain within approximately 100 ft
minimum of two (2) decoy subjects in the search area and
(30 m) of the established trail.
where the dog does not alert on the decoys.
7.6.6 The subject must be located in1hor less.
7.4.2 Non Area Search Dog Teams or Crews shall demon-
strate the ability to locate at minimum two subjects in the
7.7 Area search dog crews or teams shall demonstrate the
search area.
following in the field:
7.4.3 The search area shall be approximately 160 acres (~65
7.7.1 The handler and canine operate effectively as a team.
hectares),adjustedinaccordancewiththeNationalSearchDog
7.7.1.1 The canine consistently reacts to target scent during
Alliance (NSDA) DaytimeAcreageAdjustment Chart, Decem-
the search.
ber 19, 2008 (Annex A1) to account for variations in
7.7.1.2 The handler observes and correctly interprets the
temperature, vegetation, terrain, wind, cloud cover, time of
canine’s signals and behavior.
day, and number of people in the area.
7.7.1.3 The canine and handler remain on task over pro-
7.4.4 The subject(s) must be located in3hor less.
longed periods in a search area that contains few or no positive
7.4.5 The terrain in the test area shall be representative of scent sources.
that in the area search dog crew or team’s normal area of
7.7.2 The handler recognizes areas where the target scent is
operation. not present.
7.5 Area search dog crews or teams shall demonstrate the
8. Record Keeping
ability to quickly and efficiently locate one or more subjects
8.1 The handler shall maintain complete and accurate train-
using air scenting during area search at night.
ing and deployment logs for each canine team.
7.5.1 Scent-specific Area Dog Teams shall demonstrate the
8.2 These logs must be made available for inspection and
ability to locate a single target subject in the search area.
review upon the request of the AHJ.
7.5.2 Non Scent-specificArea DogTeams shall demonstrate
the ability to locate a single subject in the search area.
8.3 TheAHJshalldeterminetherequirementsfortheteam’s
7.5.3 The search area shall be approximately 40 acres (~16
training and mission logs. It is recommended that each training
hectares), adjusted in accordance with the NSDA Nighttime
and mission log contain, at minimum, the following informa-
...