WV K9 SEARCH AND RESCUE, INC
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​KNOW THE CODE

Whether you hike, bike, walk, fish, hunt, camp, or recreational 4wheel,
becoming lost in the woods of West Virginia can be dangerous, but with the right knowledge and preparation, you can increase your chances of survival!
​Here are some recommendations to prepare you for your 
trip.
Knowledge & Gear
Become self-reliant by learning about the terrain, conditions,
local weather, and your equipment before you go.

Leave Your Plans
Tell someone where you are going, the routes you will be taking,
when you will return and your emergency plans.

Stay Together
Never go alone. When you start as a group, stay as a group, end as a group.
Pace your trip to the slowest person.

Turn Back
Weather changes quickly in the West Virginia mountains.
Fatigue and unexpected conditions can and will affect your trip.
Know your limitations and when to postpone your trip.
The mountains of WV will always be there for another day.

For Emergencies
Even if you are headed out for a short one-hour trip,
an injury, severe weather, or wrong turn can become life threatening.
​Don't assume you will be rescued; know how to rescue yourself.
Plan your trip first. Know your weather, pack the appropriate footwear and clothing, pack essentials (see list below), plan your route and timeline, and share that with someone who is expecting you to return. Leave a scent article and an impression of your boot (see below on instructions)

10 Essentials to pack

  1. First aid kit
  2. Map and compass
  3. Pocket knife
  4. Matches/fire starter
  5. Shelter
  6. Flashlight
  7. Warm/rain clothing
  8. Emergency food and water
  9. Whistle
  10. Something reflective
Picture

Scent Articles and Boot Impressions
Scent articles and boot impressions are tools our teams use to locate missing persons. Scent articles are presented to our dogs, so they know who they are looking for among hundreds of volunteers. Boot impressions let our man trackers know what size and style of shoe you are wearing so they can look for impressions in the dirt or mud to get a direction of travel. Sometimes, it takes hours for our team to obtain this information. You can help by leaving these behind with a person that is expecting you or in your car or at your camp. 


Scent Articles
Supplies:
4x4 Sterile gauze
small sterilized jar (preferred) or Ziplock bag
latex gloves

With latex gloves on, open your jar or bag,
then open your sterile gauze pad, rub it all
over your face, hair, neck and arms. Place 
contaminated gauze in your jar/bag, seal up and label with your name and date.
DO NOT OPEN. DO NOT LET ANYONE ELSE TOUCH IT. 
Your preserved scent article is good for a year (in a jar) if unopened.




Boot Impressions
Supplies:
a small kitchen towel
piece of aluminum foil



Do this with the shoes you plan to wear on your adventure.
Place the kitchen towel on the ground.
Place foil on top of towel.
With one foot, step on the foil with all your weight.
Gently lift foot off foil, leaving an impression of your boot sole pattern. Store where it will not be folded or wrinkled. 
Picture

Photo credit: Google

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  • Home
  • Contact
  • Classes & Seminars
  • Services
  • The Call Out and Response
  • Hero Dog
  • The Rainbow Bridge
  • Our Sponsors & Supporters
  • Current Fundraisers
  • Safety & Education
    • Human Trafficking
    • Know The Code - Safety Tips
    • Hug A Tree & Survive