COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- When it comes to a water rescue there are a lot dynamics the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office Emergency Services Bureau Dive Team have to take into account. One big factor is poor visibility. If the water is too murky and doesn't allow them to use their normal equipment they call for back up, the Search and Rescue Dogs of Colorado.
"The scent comes up off the person under the water gets wider towards the top and the wind blows it out," Marcia McMahon, Search & Rescue of Colorado trainer, said.
Once in the water these powerful pooches track the scent, direct and steer the boat giving their handlers cues and a final alert as the scent gets stronger. It's sounds like a simple concept, but there are a lot of challenges that can take them off course.
"You have the undercurrent in the lake, pond, surface current plus the wind that's carrying scent," Kathy Kosorok, Search & Rescue of Colorado dog handler, said.
There are a number of drownings each year and a high number are on rivers, so training like this can help strengthen the dogs techniques right before the summer search and rescue's busy season.
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