First Aid Training for RAID’s Elite K9 Operatives

Cyno-Ops will feature an exciting lineup of conference sessions, providing insights for law enforcement officers, military personnel, customs officers and government officials who use dogs as working tools. 

Nicolas KRUMEICH is a veterinary surgeon at ADVETIA Veterinary Hospital Centre in Vélizy-Villacoublay, near Paris. He and Laurent GOUARDO will be speaking at the Cyno-Ops show, during a talk on the topic “Management of RAID dogs injured during operations, operational needs, and the evolution of first aid and veterinary support”.

In this exclusive interview, we spoke to him about his work caring for dogs injured in service and the partnership established with the RAID, an elite tactical unit of the French National Police specialised in search, assistance, intervention, and deterrence.

Could you tell us more about your role with the RAID’s canine units and how this collaboration came about?

In 2021, following an injury sustained by a RAID assault dog during an operation, I was called in to perform surgery at the veterinary hospital where I work. This injury made the RAID's canine handlers realise that they were ill-prepared to care for injured dogs, both in terms of training and in terms of their relationship with veterinary care facilities.

We set up an initial training programme in operational canine first aid, followed by refresher courses, and forged a lasting and solid partnership, which also led to a better understanding of both human and procedural aspects.

What kinds of injuries can assault dogs sustain during interventions, and under what circumstances do they typically occur?

The main injuries and conditions that assault dogs may suffer during operations are penetrating wounds caused by both knives and bullets, with possible internal or external bleeding, multiple traumas that may be secondary to falls, major impacts or blasts, as well as heatstroke during operations in hot environments.

How important is anticipation—through prevention, protocols, or training—in managing the care of these working dogs?

The training and protocols that have been taught have above all, raised awareness among RAID dog handlers of the risks faced by their assault and explosive detection dogs, as well as the consequences that could ensue.

This enables them to better assess the risks, identify a suitable veterinary care facility in advance of their mission if necessary, and, in the event of an operational injury, to respond more effectively as canine first-aiders ‘in combat’. This is part of the ‘golden hour’ concept, which aims to reduce the likelihood of death and irreversible injury through simple but immediate first aid measures.

How has canine first aid and equipment evolved in recent years? Are canine units now consistently trained and equipped to respond to injuries during missions?

RAID canine handlers are now all trained, both in initial training and refresher courses, in operational canine first aid (treatment of haemorrhages, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, wound care, immobilisation of the spine or a limb, etc.).  

Their tactical vests are equipped with a tactical first aid kit designed primarily to stop bleeding, and they also have access to a canine first aid bag in the canine vehicle. If necessary, the RAID doctor, who has attended canine first aid training, is also able to assist with rescue operations.

Can you tell us more about the first-aid training programme for RAID personnel?

The RAID operational canine first aid training consists of an initial 10-hour module, over one day of initial training, which includes theoretical and practical components for a group of six handlers. Important anatomical and physiological concepts are presented, followed by detailed technical procedures, which are then applied to situations that may arise in the field.

At the same time, once the technical procedures have been learned in practice, RAID dog handlers are placed in realistic situations, either with a dog from the unit or using a mannequin to simulate various procedures, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Five-hour refresher modules are then carried out on the same principle, allowing participants to develop reflexes, integrate the decision trees presented and gradually deepen their understanding of first aid procedures.