Came across a posse of search and rescue dogs on a dusk hike tonight…
They seem to love their work. One was a tracker (like in the movies, where you have a piece of clothing, and they go by smell). This one and the golden retrievers behind me are “area dogs”. They are sent out to find people where there is no prior scent. They can pick up generic human scents and sounds, and generally canvas an area. With their bells on, and glow stick on the back (no whisky!), I had assumed that they find a trapped person and bark to call for help.
But they are trained to run back from anyone they find. So if you are trapped, and a rescue dog finds you, fear not if they promptly abandon you. They are going back to get help, and everyone counts on their ability to track back to you again.
One of the trainers there was recently on a 10-hour search in the Sierras. She said that the helicopter drop was more of a push since it can’t land on fresh powder… and they did not tell her that before takeoff. =)
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