K9NZ - Making Even More Efficient The Traditional Ways Of Search And Rescue

The Concept

Currently there are two main methods dog handlers use to trace subjects.

The dogs are trained to "find" the subject and return to the handler, then the dog takes the handler back to the subject.
Dog handlers rely on their dogs ability to "find" subjects and indicate their position by barking until the handler reaches the dog.

Both methods are flawed.

Dogs get confused, especially when fatigued.
The dog handler may not be able to hear the dog and the dog may not bark long enough.

The Find Minder® system removes the need for the dog to do either of these difficult tasks. Once activated all the dog has to do is return to the dog handler as the position of the subject is already fixed.

How It Works

Find Minder® is an Interface connected to a hand held GPS housed in a jacket worn by a suitably trained dog. The system is designed for Area Search Dogs but has other applications.

A trained dog wearing a Find Minder® searches for a subject and on locating that subject and on locating the subject pulls out a "Tag" and drops it to the ground. This is similar to the Bringsel method where the dog holds a leather stick attached to its collar as an indication to the dog handler that it has found something. There is a "Tag" located on the dog's back for the subject to pull out if they are capable.

When a “Tag” is pulled out a way-point is marked by Find Minder®. These "Tags" will now begin to transmit a Direction Finding signal, up to 4km ground to ground. They also "beep" and "flash", there are several options for receiving the signal including ICOM IC-R10.

A "beeping" signal from the interface tells the dog to now return to the handler. The Find Minder® marks a new way-point every 15 seconds after this initial activation. Any “Bark” sessions are also logged as waypoints.

On the dogs return the handler or other searchers can remove the handheld GPS and return to the way-points of the dogs "finds".

The system logs Find Minder®'s activation's in the GPS memory bank like this.

"Tag" pulled by the dog (Tag 1)
The dog barking (B)
"Tag" pulled by a person (Tag 2)
15 Sec Auto Mark (M)

Glancing at the GPS tells you exactly how far away from you the dogs "finds" are and the exact direction to travel in or listen for the transmitted DF signal or signals.

The transmitters deal with any inaccuracy that may occur from time to time with the GPS due to insufficient satellite coverage, although GPS accuracy is normally between 5 and 15 metres it is an effective back-up method.

The transmitters also tell you if the "Tag" is being moved, this is indicated in a signal pulse change.

The transmitters have the effect of making your dog's "find" much BIGGER due to the size of the transmitter's range.

A call-up feature is currently being added to Find Minder®, this will allow the handler to call Find Minder® and activate the transmitters to allow tracking of Find Minder® should a dog not return from searching for any reason.

By using the GPS technology and the transmitters it is virtually impossible to lose the "Tags", in fact we have not lost one to date!!.

Exploded view of equipment carried in Find Minder® jacket: Long range transmitter "tags" , GPS interface, hand held GPS.
The interface is bark sensitive, once a "tag" is removed the interface logs bark activity into the GPS under the "B" category in the GPS waypoint list. Also after a "tag" is removed the interface logs a waypoint every 15 seconds which creates a breadcrumb trail of waypoints of the dogs return journey these are stored in the "M" category for mark.

Avalanche Searches

By plugging an avalanche transceiver into the subject "tag" port Find Minder® can be used to log avalanche transceiver burials. A signal received by the receiving avalanche transceiver mimics the removal of the "tag" therefore logging the position of the transmitting transceiver's signal into the GPS. The dog's "tag" remains available for removal (indication) as normal.

There is a spare pocket in the jacket to house avalanche transceivers and future add on technologies as they are developed.

avalanche transceiver set up

To find out more send a message to Adrian by completing the details below.

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