Drowned persons

SSDs are deployed in cases of suspected drowning in a given area and the precise location is unknown or uncertain.

As they work out the scent the dogs locate the water surface area above the corpse. This makes for efficient recovery of the victim.

Essentially there are no limitations for the dogs regarding water depth, temperature or type (sea, river, moat or canal). Also, there are no limitations as to the time the drowning took place (hours/months).

Why the SSD specialization in searching for drowned persons?

• In the Netherlands most missing persons are found in water
  

• In the Netherlands the next of kin greatly appreciate (rapid) recovery of a victim.

Why search with dogs? 

• The use of dogs greatly narrows the area where a victim may be found.  
  
• Because of this, fewer searchers and less (expensive) equipment are needed.
• Thus the likelihood of rapid recovery of the victim and certainty for next of kin is enhanced. 

THE DOG SWIMS ABOVE THE VICTIM AND WANTS TO COME CLOSER

• A typical scent, a mixture of scale, fatty acids and gasses, rises to the water surface.
• The gasses spread over the water.
• The dog smells them and reacts by barking and tail wagging.

THE DOG CIRCLES ABOVE THE SCENT SOURCE  

• The scent is worked out by dog and handler right up to the spot where the scent is most intense.

• At the place where solids rise to the surface the dog will jump in, swim towards the scent source and circle.

Equipment

·     . Boat
. A buoy or marker and GPS to fix the spot
. Sonar equipment
. Dredging equipment (if required)
. Divers

A marker is placed at the location where the verification dog confirms the location of the victim’s scent source on the water surface as spotted by the first dog and determined via GPS.

Cooperation on water

Victim recovery is a matter of cooperation with various agencies/persons

• KNRM (Royal Dutch Rescue Society) rescue squad

SSD cooperates with a number of KNRM squads and other rescue teams, to be of service even on large and unruly waters such as the North Sea, Lake Yssel and the lakes surrounding the Flevo polder.

•  Divers:

SSD has on call associated divers trained to recover missing persons. SSD also cooperates with fire brigade divers.

• Dredging equipment

SSD cooperates with the Institute for Drowned Person Recovery Facilities for recovery by dredging. This is important especially when diving is impeded by strong currents or low water temperatures. SSD has dredging equipment of its own for smaller-sized waterways.

• Onderwater apparatuur:

SSD cooperates with the Institute for Drowned Person Recovery Facilities for use of an underwater camera. The river and harbour police use additional sonar equipment to determine the position of a drowned person.

 SSD itself owns a sonar (Humminbird 900) for use on smaller-sized waterways.

SSD BOAT FOR TRAINING AND DEPLOYMENT ON SMALLER WATERWAYS  

SSD BOAT FOR TRAINING AND DEPLOYMENT ON LARGER WATERWAYS