ASTM F1847-14(2022)

Standard Guide for Minimum Training of Search Dog Crews or Teams

SCOPE
1.1 This guide establishes the minimum standard for training of search dog crews or teams as it relates to their general and field knowledge, skills, and abilities specific to their use in Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.  
1.2 Search dog crews perform searches on the surface of the land, including in mountainous terrain, alpine environments, and on inland water bodies.  
1.3 This guide does not include the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to search in partially or fully collapsed structures, confined spaces, underground (such as in caves, mines, and tunnels), in mountainous terrain, in an alpine environment, or on the water.  
1.4 This guide does not provide a theoretical basis for how a search dog crew operates; rather it describes the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities required for a search dog crew to function safely and effectively.  
1.5 A search dog crew is able to respond into the field and back country to locate subjects in the wilderness environment.  
1.6 A search dog crew is required to have, at a minimum, the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined within this guide.  
1.7 Search dog crews are eligible to be members of Type I and II SAR teams or crews as defined in Classification F1993.  
1.7.1 Personnel trained in accordance with this guide may be members of Type I and II teams or crews of Kind A (Wilderness), Kind B (Urban), Kind C (Mountainous), Kind D (Disaster/collapsed structure), Kind E (Inland water), Kind I (Avalanche), and Kind J (Evidence/human remains), and may operate in urban and disaster areas that may be isolated or have lost their infrastructure.  
1.8 Further training may be required before a search dog crew can fully participate on a particular type and kind of team or crew, based on specific local need, regulations, or policies.  
1.9 Search dog crews shall work under qualified supervision, as deemed appropriate by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).  
1.10 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.  
1.11 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2022
• ICS: 13.200 - Accident and disaster control
• ICS: 65.020.30 - Animal husbandry and breeding
• 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 F1879-14 - Standard Guide for Demonstrating Obedience and Agility in Search and Rescue Dogs
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2014
• Refers: ASTM F3029-13 - Standard Guide for Level I GPS Wilderness Navigator (GPS-IW) Endorsement (Withdrawn 2014)
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• 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 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 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
• Refers: ASTM F1993-99 - Standard Classification of Human Search and Rescue Resources
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-1999
• Refers: ASTM F1879-98 - Standard Guide for Demonstrating Obedience and Agility in Search and Rescue Dogs
• Effective Date: 10-Apr-1998
• Refers: ASTM F1848-98 - Standard Classification for Search and Rescue Dog Crew/Teams
• Effective Date: 10-Jan-1998
• Refers: ASTM F1633-97 - Standard Guide for Techniques in Land Search
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1997

Overview

ASTM F1847-14(2022), the Standard Guide for Minimum Training of Search Dog Crews or Teams, establishes minimum standards to ensure the safety and effectiveness of search dog crews and teams as utilized in Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. Developed by ASTM International, this guide focuses on the required general and field knowledge, handler skills, and dog abilities for teams operating on land surfaces including wilderness, mountains, and inland water bodies.

This guide is designed to be used by organizations, authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), and SAR teams to assess and document the training of search dog crews, supporting consistent SAR operations across varying terrain and situations.

Key Topics

• Minimum Training Requirements: Defines the baseline knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for both handlers and dogs in SAR operations.
• Applicable Environments: Targets surface land searches, including wilderness and alpine settings as well as searches on inland water bodies.
• Handler Competencies: Outlines requirements such as completion of canine first aid, maintenance of mission logs, scent article handling, map reading, risk assessment, and communication with SAR management.
• Dog Performance: Details dog skills including physical fitness, obedience, agility, alerting behavior, and response to commands in operational environments.
• Team Structure: Describes typical SAR dog crews as consisting of a handler and a specially trained dog, with optional support personnel.
• Operational Eligibility: Establishes eligibility for SAR dog crews to function as members of Type I and II SAR teams as specified in related ASTM classification standards.
• Supervision and Safety: Stipulates that teams must operate under qualified supervision, with adherence to safety and health practices determined by the AHJ.

Applications

The standard is practical for use by:

• Search and Rescue Organizations: To create or evaluate training programs for search dog crews, ensuring personnel meet recognized minimum training standards for SAR missions.
• Certification Bodies: Serving as a basis for certifying handlers and dogs for SAR readiness.
• Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs): Guiding assessment and documentation of crew competency, and supporting operational deployment decisions in line with local policies.
• Individual Handlers: Assisting in the preparation for responsibilities as an SAR dog handler, including field and administrative tasks.
• Training Program Developers: Offering a reference for developing structured training tailored to SAR dog teams across various environments.

By meeting ASTM F1847-14(2022) requirements, organizations can improve the effectiveness, reliability, and safety of SAR dog operations across diverse scenarios, from lost-person searches in the wilderness to rescues in alpine areas and bodies of inland water.

Related Standards

Integration with related standards is recommended to ensure comprehensive training and operational capability:

• ASTM F2209: Guide for Training of Land Search Team Members
• ASTM F1993: Classification System of Human Land Search and Rescue Resources
• ASTM F1848: Classification System for Canine Search Resources
• ASTM F1879: Guide for Demonstrating Obedience and Agility in Search and Rescue Dogs
• ASTM F1633: Guide for Techniques in Land Search (Withdrawn)
• ASTM F3029: Guide for Level I GPS Wilderness Navigator (Withdrawn)

Practical Value

ASTM F1847-14(2022) supports search dog teams in achieving consistency, safety, and high standards of performance for search and rescue missions. The guide provides a recognized framework to document and evaluate handler and canine readiness, strengthening the reliability and effectiveness of SAR operations in land-based and select inland water environments. Adherence to these standards helps ensure dog crews are well-prepared, responsive, and supported to operate under diverse and challenging conditions.

Keywords: search dog training, SAR dog handler, search and rescue, canine SAR crew, minimum training standards, ASTM F1847, handler skills, dog team competency

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: F1847 − 14 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Guide for
Minimum Training of Search Dog Crews or Teams
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1847; 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 Search dog crews shall work under qualified
supervision, as deemed appropriate by the authority having
1.1 This guide establishes the minimum standard for train-
jurisdiction (AHJ).
ing of search dog crews or teams as it relates to their general
1.10 This standard does not purport to address all of the
and field knowledge, skills, and abilities specific to their use in
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.2 Search dog crews perform searches on the surface of the
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
land, including in mountainous terrain, alpine environments,
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
and on inland water bodies.
1.11 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.3 This guide does not include the knowledge, skills, and
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
abilities required to search in partially or fully collapsed
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
structures, confined spaces, underground (such as in caves,
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
mines, and tunnels), in mountainous terrain, in an alpine
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
environment, or on the water.
1.4 This guide does not provide a theoretical basis for how
2. Referenced Documents
a search dog crew operates; rather it describes the minimum
2.1 ASTM Standards:
knowledge, skills, and abilities required for a search dog crew
F1633 Guide for Techniques in Land Search (Withdrawn
to function safely and effectively.
2017)
1.5 A search dog crew is able to respond into the field and
F1848 Classification System for Canine Search Resources
back country to locate subjects in the wilderness environment.
F1879 Guide for Demonstrating Obedience and Agility in
Search and Rescue Dogs
1.6 A search dog crew is required to have, at a minimum,
F1993 Classification System of Human Land Search and
the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined within this guide.
Rescue Resources
1.7 Search dog crews are eligible to be members of Type I
F2209 Guide for Training of Land Search Team Member
and II SAR teams or crews as defined in Classification F1993.
F3029 Guide for Level I GPS Wilderness Navigator (GPS-
1.7.1 Personnel trained in accordance with this guide may IW) Endorsement (Withdrawn 2013)
be members of Type I and II teams or crews of Kind A
(Wilderness), Kind B (Urban), Kind C (Mountainous), Kind D 3. Terminology
(Disaster/collapsed structure), Kind E (Inland water), Kind I
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
(Avalanche), and Kind J (Evidence/human remains), and may
3.1.1 alert—a characteristic change in a search dog’s ongo-
operate in urban and disaster areas that may be isolated or have
ing behavior in response to a trained odor, as interpreted by the
lost their infrastructure.
handler.
1.8 Further training may be required before a search dog
3.1.2 bringsel—an object carried by the dog or handler that
crew can fully participate on a particular type and kind of team
is retrieved or tugged on by the dog when the dog finds its
or crew, based on specific local need, regulations, or policies.
target.
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 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as F1847 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/ The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
F1847-14R22. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1847 − 14 (2022)
3.1.3 handler—a person with the knowledge, skills, and 5.4 The handler shall have successfully completed, and
abilities to control and direct a trained search dog. shall maintain currency in, a canine first aid course, as required
by the AHJ.
3.1.4 search dog crew or team—a single operational re-
source utilized in SAR operations, typically consisting of one
5.5 The handler shall demonstrate the ability to keep clear
human handler and one dog trained to search for live humans,
and accurate mission and training logs, as required by theAHJ.
human remains, and human possessions.Asearch dog team or
5.6 The handler shall demonstrate the ability to collect and
crew may also include a support person.
preserve scent articles for search work.
3.2 Other terminology included in this guide may be found
5.7 The handler shall have the physical capacity and agility
in Classification F1848, Guide F1633, and Guide F2209.
to safely and effectively search:
5.7.1 In the terrain and environmental conditions found
4. Significance and Use
within the search dog crew’s normal area of operations, and
4.1 This guide establishes a minimum standard for the
5.7.2 For periods of time appropriate to the search type and
training of search dog crews as it relates to their general and
area.
field knowledge, skills, and abilities specific to their use in
5.8 The handler shall demo
...