Area Search (RH – FL)

General Rules

• DH may not run — normal gait only.
• DH gets detailed sketch showing search area borders.
• DH must not walk around the area perimeter or along borders; minimum distance from border: 30 m.
• DH must select tactic before deploying D; announces to TJ.
• If tactical changes occur during work: notify TJ; search time continues.
• If DH finds VP: no restriction if D continues searching freely and alerts correctly.
• Before sending D, DH announces: continue to start point (where alert was reported) OR continue search.

Victims (VP) Placement

• Clothing must not stand out (no reflective or striking colours).
• Minimum 20 m apart; in position 10 minutes before dispatch.
• Must lie down or sit; face must be uncovered — no full coverage with tarps or blankets.
• Remain silent and still; cannot help D or DH in any way.
• VP leaves hide as soon as found, at TJ instruction (including removing mats/padding).
• Used hides may be reused for subsequent dogs.

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FL V — Area Search Pre-test

Max: 100 points

Component	Points
Work mode in search	30 p
Alert at person	70 p

Parameter	Value
Search area	5,000 m² open and covered terrain
Victims	1 VP
Hides	VP must have visual and physical contact with D
Time	max 10 minutes

Execution: the 2026 guideline specifies procedure analogous to FL A (without adding an A/B alert exercise).

Evaluation:

• VP not found → cannot pass
• 1st false alert: −20 points
• Evaluated especially: teamwork DH–D

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FL A — Area Search A

Max: 200 points

Component	Points
Alert exercise	20 p
Directability	15 p
Search intensity	15 p
Mobility	10 p
Independence	10 p
Tactic & teamwork	10 p
Alerts (2 persons × 60 p each)	120 p

Parameter	Value
Search area	20,000–25,000 m² open and covered
Area contamination	Criss-crossed by several people with a test dog up to 15 min before 1st search
Victims	2 VP
Hides	VP must have possibility of visual and physical contact with D
Time	max 20 minutes

Execution:

• After alert exercise, DH goes to start position; TJ announces tactical situation.
• DH dispatches D at TJ instruction from chosen spot.
• Tactic announced to TJ before search. Leave the starting point only with judge’s permission after D has clearly departed.
• Continue from the alert place only after announcing the tactical change; otherwise return with D to the position from which the alert was reported.

Evaluation:

• Systematic search of area is key.
• 1st false alert: −40 points
• VP not found → cannot pass; max achievable = 139 points

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FL B — Area Search B

Max: 200 points

Component	Points
Alert exercise	10 p
Directability	15 p
Search Intensity	15 p
Mobility	10 p
Independence	10 p
Tactic & Teamwork	20 p
Alerts (3 persons × 40 p each)	120 p

Parameter	Value
Search area	40,000 m² (100 × 400 m)
Terrain	Min 50% covered, limited overview; may contain individual buildings
Victims	3 VP
Hides	Visual and/or physical contact; typical terrain hides (e.g., elevated hides) permitted
Time	max 30 minutes

Execution:

• Area is contaminated by several people with a test dog up to 15 minutes before the first search.
• D searches with deep alternating side sweeps; occasional backwards sweeps are not faulty.
• After an alert, return with D to the middle line and resume there. Once the end is reached, no backwards search by the team; DH may send D backwards for still-missing victims within the time limit.
• DH moves only along the middle line of the search area (except at the alert).
• Elevated hides permitted but must be min 20 m inside area boundaries; max 3 m height.

Evaluation:

• Systematic search.
• 1st false alert: −40 points
• VP not found → cannot pass; max achievable = 139 points

Sources

FCI/IRO 2025, §5–5.3. Binding IRO guideline, approved 25 August 2026.