ASTM F2852-10

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Designation: F2852 − 10
Standard Practice for
Training a Land Search Tracker
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2852; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This guide establishes a standard of training to address 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
specific skills required for a searcher who participates as a 3.1.1 Tracker, n—a person with specialized knowledge and
Tracker in support of a land search effort. training who can locate, identify, interpret, and systematically
1.1.1 This guide establishes a standard of knowledge for a follow evidence of passage of a specific person.
Tracker as related to general, field, and tracking-specific
3.1.2 sign, n—the physical evidence of the presence or
knowledge and skills.
passage of a person or persons.
1.1.2 This guide identifies the performance requirements of
3.1.3 tracking, v—the systematic and methodical identifica-
a Tracker who performs tracking of humans as it relates
tion of physical evidence which thereby allows someone to
primarily to land search events, but might include law enforce-
follow a specific person.
ment investigation or military situations.
3.1.4 sign cutting, v—the systematic and regimented proce-
1.2 A Tracker is required to have the knowledge and skill
dure utilized by Trackers to locate and identify the physical
sets pertaining to basic tracking techniques and be familiar
evidence of the passage of a specific person.
with unique tracking terminology and the equipment com-
3.1.5 response organization, n—a group, be it governmental
monly used.
or nongovernmental, of which the Tracker is a member and
1.3 A Tracker may be utilized in any of three common
under whose auspices the Tracker operates in the field.
tracking environment kinds described in Classification F1993:
KindA(wilderness), Kind B (urban), Kind C (mountainous) or
4. Significance and Use
other kinds.
4.1 This guide establishes the minimum standard for train-
1.4 This guide does not purport to address all of the safety
ingaTrackerasitrelatestogeneral,field,andtracking-specific
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility knowledge and skills. A person trained to this guide, who
of the user of this guide to establish appropriate safety and
demonstrates the knowledge and skills required, may be
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
recognized as a Tracker.
requirements prior to use.
4.1.1 A Tracker shall be adequately trained in the environ-
ment in which he or she is expected to work.
2. Referenced Documents 4.1.2 Nothing in this guide precludes a response organiza-
tion or the Authority Having Jurisdiction from adding addi-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
tional requirements for its own members.
F1633 Guide for Techniques in Land Search
F1767 Guide for Forms Used for Search and Rescue
4.2 Being trained as a Tracker is not an indication that a
F1993 Classification System of Human Search and Rescue person possesses adequate field skills or knowledge to make
Resources
mission critical decisions.
F2209 Guide for Training of Level I Land Search Team
4.3 This guide is not a complete training or performance
Member
document. It is only an outline of the topics required for
trainingorevaluatingaTracker.Itmay,however,beusedinthe
development of, or as part of, a complete training document or
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F32 on Search and
program.
Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.03 on Personnel,
4.3.1 This guide does not stand alone and must be used with
Training and Education.
the referenced documents (1-19), qualifying tracking training
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2010. Published January 2011. DOI: 10.1520/
F2852–10 materials, and appropriate field training, under the supervision
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
the ASTM website. this standard.
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F2852 − 10
of a qualified trainer, to provide the specific skills and circumstances or a variety of conditions, seasons,
knowledge needed by a Tracker. environments, and terrains.
5.2.3 ATracker shall be able to explain the reasons to carry,
4.4 Though this guide establishes a basic training standard,
or demonstrate the use of, or both, all personal equipment
it does not imply that a Tracker is a “trainee,” “probationary,”
required by the response organization or Authority Having
orothersimilarteammemberdesignationofanorganization.It
Jurisdiction.
is up to the Authority Having Jurisdiction or response organi-
zation to determine the requirements and qualifications for 5.3 Team Equipment:
member designations. 5.3.1 A Tracker shall be familiar with tracking equipment
identified and commonly used by the response organization or
4.5 Because tracking could be performed in a dangerous
Authority Having Jurisdiction.
area and Trackers may be required to perform rigorous
activities in adverse conditions, safety and fitness standards
6. Specific Knowledge and Skills for Tracking
shall be included in a response organization’s policies and
6.1 Tracking Theory:
procedures. Trackers shall determine if the task can be com-
6.1.1 ATracker shall explain the significance, as it relates to
pleted safely with the personnel, equipment, and training at
any search and rescue mission, of the following examples:
hand.
6.1.1.1 Verify that evidence supports initial information
4.6 This guide may be used in conjunction with other
6.1.1.2 Establish a direction of travel
appropriate materials to evaluate training documents to deter-
6.1.1.3 Limit search area
mine if their content meets the necessary topics for training or
6.2 Tracking Procedure:
performance of a Tracker. Likewise, this guide may be used to
(See Guide F1633)
evaluate an existing training program to see if it meets the
6.2.1 A Tracker shall know the basic techniques for the
requirements of this guide.
“Step by Step” method. It is a process of identifying contigu-
4.7 Therequirementspresentedinthefollowingsectionsare
ous tracks or sign or both in succession and acknowledging
not presented in any particular order and do not represent a
each one, either as part of the learning process, or as an
training sequence.
effective tactic when required or as needed.
4.8 AcomprehensiveTrackertrainingprogramshallinclude
6.2.2 ATracker shall demonstrate the ability to identify and
an evaluation process to determine the students’ability to meet describe a track by:
these training standards. Written and oral examinations de-
6.2.2.1 Measuring overall length, width of sole, width of
signed to evaluate knowledge of theory, policy, and the
heel, length of heel, or if no heel is present, denote a
practices required by the response organization, which include
measurement to a visible feature.
the requirements of this guide, may be utilized. However, field
6.2.2.2 Determining the type, shape, and condition of the
or training ground exercises and demonstrations are necessary
footgear being worn.
to determine practical tracking knowledge or a developed skill.
6.2.2.3 Drawing a picture of a track including all unique
marks and designs.
5. General Knowledge and Skills
6.2.3 A Tracker shall demonstrate the ability to set up a
tracking stick:
5.1 General Requirements:
6.2.3.1 Point of stick on forward heel strike, place marking
5.1.1 AsaprerequisiteaTrackerisexpectedtobeamember
over rear toe dig, second marking over rear heel strike.
of a response organization and possess some training,
6.2.3.2 Length of foot between marks.
certification, or endorsement in the environment in which he or
6.2.3.3 Stride interval is the normal walking distance be-
she is expected to work.
tween footfalls shown from the point of stick to the first mark.
5.1.2 For land search personnel, meeting the requirements
6.2.4 ATracker shall demonstrate the ability to clearly mark
of Guide F2209 shall be considered sufficient for meeting the
tracks and the direction of travel by:
requirements of 5.1.1.
6.2.4.1 Placing indicators, a pin, powder, or other marking
5.1.3 The response organization shall determine the mental
material just behind heel mark to mark each track.
and physical preparedness of the Tracker to serve in the field
6.2.4.2 Placing indicators above ground level occasionally
using such methods as are objective and consistent with
to clearly show the trend of the direction of travel.
direction, if any, from the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
6.2.5 A Tracker shall demonstrate the ability to recognize,
5.2 Personal Equipment:
identify, and describe the following types of sign under actual
5.2.1 A Tracker shall possess and carry, as a minimum,
conditions:
sufficient personal protective equipment and equipment to 6.2.5.1 Compressed Areas—Areas of ground surface that
maintain personal safety while working at or around the land
include loose debris and vegetation both living and dead,
searchassignment.Suitabilityofequipmentshallbeverifiedby surface moisture and all types of soil surfaces, compressed in
the response organization or Authority Having Jurisdiction. A
a manner consistent with that of “human
...