What is the most effective method for a search team to locate someone lost in the snow after an avalanche?

• A. Using a drone
• B. Searching manually
• C. Tracing footprints
• D. Using a dog

Answer: (D)

The most effective method for a search team to locate someone lost in the snow after an avalanche is using a dog. This is primarily due to the superior olfactory capabilities of search and rescue dogs, which can be trained to detect human scent even when buried under snow. These dogs can often pinpoint a person's location much faster than human searchers can, as they can cover large areas more efficiently and are adept at locating scents that are not easily detected by humans, especially when those scents are buried beneath snow.

Additionally, dogs are trained to work in various conditions, including challenging environments that are typical following avalanches. Their ability to signal the location of a person can significantly improve the chances of a successful and timely rescue. While other methods like using drones or searching manually can aid in locating victims, they often do not match the effectiveness and speed of a trained search and rescue dog.