FIELD EXPERIMENT USING AN UAV TO ASSIST THE WORK OF A RESCUE DOG SEARCHING IN RUBBLE

Abstract

This article presents the results of a field experiment using an unmanned drone as an additional tool to aid canine search and rescue teams when searching in rubble. The composition and execution of the field experiment involved a theoretical framework, where new technologies for rubble searches were covered, with an emphasis on use by the Mobile Canine Search and Rescue Unit of Slovenia. After a theoretical overview of the literature, it was decided that only an unmanned aerial vehicle would be used for the experiment. The drone tried to ensure an overview of the terrain while simultaneously following the dog’s activity. At the same time, the extent to which the vehicle inhibits the dogs’ work and whether it is a helpful or a distracting tool for the handler were tested. The expert group consisted of a trained drone pilot, a working dog judge, and four search and rescue teams, two of which were used as a control group. Our findings show that the technology is more suitable for wilderness searches; however, it has positive use in rubble searches as well, although in a different role than initially considered. The test was performed at two separate locations.