Search dog mobilisation should be directed through the New Zealand Police, either local or by the 111 system – if however the dogs and handlers are deployed by other means, then the NZ Police should be notified as soon as possible thereafter.

Call outs should be made by dialing 111 and asking for the POLICE, give your location, the location of the incident, numbers presumed buried and any other relevant information you may be asked to provide, e.g. you may only require one or two dogs, or if the avalanche is larger, you will need dogs from a wider region. It is important that all relevant information is given as time is of the utmost importance when mobilising avalanche search dogs to save lives.

Please call 111 immediately for the first response THEN:
Search and Rescue Avalanche Dogs
National Coordinator – Karyn Robertson (027) 406 3 604
or if not available: Dan Kennedy (027) 432 0898

* Novice qualification means the team should be called immediately to an avalanche WHILE an operational team is on the way.

It is essential to speed the arrival of search dogs at the accident site that air transport be a priority for the dogs and handlers. If at all possible a dog and handler team should be included in the first response party, if not, ASAP thereafter, it is important to notify the national coordinator to ensure correct deployment procedures are adhered to and consequent back up dogs are placed in a state of readiness if they should be required.

When dogs are to be used at an incident site it should be attempted to locate landing and equipment sites downwind from the areas to be searched, this will prevent unwanted odours drifting across the search areas.
Operational dogs are trained to search in pairs and amongst personnel already on the debris site, please be aware that if a dog handler should require that personnel leave the debris field or that equipment sites are to be shifted then the dog handler/s will inform the accident site commander or responsible person/s of this.

When search dogs are deployed, ensure that further operational dogs and their handlers are put in a state of readiness in case further resources are required. Don’t forget, dogs can work equally well in the dark.

All operational handlers are fully equipped and have the relevant expertise and knowledge of the alpine environment. If the location of the avalanche is unable to be reached on foot this should also be explained to the national coordinator so as winching equipment can accompany the dog teams.