From PCSAR
- 0.5hr
- SAR Fundamentals Manual:
- Ch.23 "Tracking"
- Appendix C "Track ID Form"
- Basic SAR Skills Manual: Ch.18 "Tracking"
- Tracking Form.
- Exercise
Outline
[some material from Jake Waiboer]
Material Covered:
Tracking
Objective:
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
Aids:
SAR Fundamentals Manual - Chapter 23: Track Awareness - p. 301
Slides -
Basic SAR 649
Basic SAR 653
Basic SAR 654
Basic SAR 655
Basic SAR 656
mud1 - Jan '01
multiple in snow - Jan '01
multiple in snow2 - Jan '01
dirt1 - Jan '01
dirt2 - Jan '01
dirt3 - Jan '01
dirt4 - Jan '01
dirt5 - Jan '01
gravel1 - Jan '01
gravel2 - Jan '02
Sample Tracking Equipment:
Tracking Stick
Tape Measure
Flashlight
Mirror
Chalk
Hat
hand out - Tracking Form
Plan:
Tracking- used to detect the path of someone or something.
When tracking you must be able to interpret clues.
Underutilized.
Travel Time Travel Distance Theoretical Search
Area
1 hour 2 miles 12.6 sq miles
2 hours 4 miles 50.3 sq miles
3 hours Six miles 113.1 sq miles
Management can use direction of travel to eliminate a large search area.
Definitions
Track or print- an impression left from a person that can be positively
identified as being human.
Complete track- a track is entirely visible. Positive. Conclusively
human.
Partial track- it is not visible in its entirety; and/or identifiable.
Corroborative.
Sign- is any evidence of change from the natural state that is inflicted on
an environment by a person's passage.
Sign cutting- looking for sign to establish a starting point from which to
track.
Jump Tracking- form of tracking that involves finding a big obvious
footprint, then proceeding along the presumed direction of travel until
another obvious track is found.
Step by step- to proceed no further than the last visible track using
stride to determine where the next step should be.
---------------------- Before this is Bryan's, after Brett's
Equipment for tracking
Clothing- should be appropriate for the terrain and weather.
Walking/sign cutting stick
Measuring device
Sm note pad/pencil
Trail tape
Flashlight
Mirror
Chalk
Light
Light plays a big role.
Light angles.
Sign Cutting
Labeling tracks
Tracking team
Point
Flankers
Detecting sign
Vision
Being able to look for a break in the random. Pay very close attention
to detail.
Keep an open mind and also look for things that might help, support
your belief etc.
Common Visual Clues
Outline
Shape
Contrast
Color
Texture
Sign Specifics
Length and width of print
General type of sole
Measurements of specific parts of a sole pattern.
Several prints in a row can determine direction and stride.
<<<< ADD TRACKING FORM
Sign Cutting
Best time of the day is when the sun is low.
Sign cutting should be used all the time.
Track traps
o Roads
o Game trails
o Creek beds
o Mud hole
o Mole hills
o Plowed fields.
o Fence lines
o Construction sites
---------------------- Before this is Brett's, after Bryan's
Strategy
Do not allow anyone into the sign cutting area
Cut each area with the same care as the first
Use good maps
Check track traps
Only experienced trackers should investigate the area
Get as much info about the subject as possible
Preserve evidence
Hazardous areas or attractants are good places to look for sign
Establish a perimeter.
Talk to everyone you see for info
Look for clues
Use the step by step.