ASTM_F_2852_-_10.pdf

Designation:F285210Standard Practice forTraining a Land Search Tracker1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2852;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This guide establishes a standard of training to addressspecific skills required for a searcher who participates as aTracker in support of a land search effort.1.1.1 This guide establishes a standard of knowledge for aTracker as related to general,field,and tracking-specificknowledge and skills.1.1.2 This guide identifies the performance requirements ofa Tracker who performs tracking of humans as it relatesprimarily to land search events,but might include law enforce-ment investigation or military situations.1.2 A Tracker is required to have the knowledge and skillsets pertaining to basic tracking techniques and be familiarwith unique tracking terminology and the equipment com-monly used.1.3 A Tracker may be utilized in any of three commontracking environment kinds described in Classification F1993:KindA(wilderness),Kind B(urban),Kind C(mountainous)orother kinds.1.4 This guide does not purport to address all of the safetyconcerns,if any,associated with its use.It is the responsibilityof the user of this guide to establish appropriate safety andhealth practices and determine the applicability of regulatoryrequirements prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2F1633 Guide for Techniques in Land SearchF1767 Guide for Forms Used for Search and RescueF1993 Classification System of Human Search and RescueResourcesF2209 Guide for Training of Level I Land Search TeamMember3.Terminology3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.1.1 Tracker,na person with specialized knowledge andtraining who can locate,identify,interpret,and systematicallyfollow evidence of passage of a specific person.3.1.2 sign,nthe physical evidence of the presence orpassage of a person or persons.3.1.3 tracking,vthe systematic and methodical identifica-tion of physical evidence which thereby allows someone tofollow a specific person.3.1.4 sign cutting,vthe systematic and regimented proce-dure utilized by Trackers to locate and identify the physicalevidence of the passage of a specific person.3.1.5 response organization,na group,be it governmentalor nongovernmental,of which the Tracker is a member andunder whose auspices the Tracker operates in the field.4.Significance and Use4.1 This guide establishes the minimum standard for train-ing a Tracker as it relates to general,field,and tracking-specificknowledge and skills.A person trained to this guide,whodemonstrates the knowledge and skills required,may berecognized as a Tracker.4.1.1 A Tracker shall be adequately trained in the environ-ment in which he or she is expected to work.4.1.2 Nothing in this guide precludes a response organiza-tion or the Authority Having Jurisdiction from adding addi-tional requirements for its own members.4.2 Being trained as a Tracker is not an indication that aperson possesses adequate field skills or knowledge to makemission critical decisions.4.3 This guide is not a complete training or performancedocument.It is only an outline of the topics required fortraining or evaluating a Tracker.It may,however,be used in thedevelopment of,or as part of,a complete training document orprogram.4.3.1 This guide does not stand alone and must be used withthe referenced documents(1-19),3qualifying tracking trainingmaterials,and appropriate field training,under the supervision1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Search andRescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.03 on Personnel,Training and Education.Current edition approved Dec.1,2010.Published January 2011.DOI:10.1520/F2852102For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end ofthis standard.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 of a qualified trainer,to provide the specific skills andknowledge needed by a Tracker.4.4 Though this guide establishes a basic training standard,it does not imply that a Tracker is a“trainee,”“probationary,”or other similar team member designation of an organization.Itis up to the Authority Having Jurisdiction or response organi-zation to determine the requirements and qualifications formember designations.4.5 Because tracking could be performed in a dangerousarea and Trackers may be required to perform rigorousactivities in adverse conditions,safety and fitness standardsshall be inclu