First there is the wilderness search dog. Dog team coordinaters utilize map and compass to identify the area,than the coordinater would assign each team of airscenting dogs to clear an area. The airscenting dog will use the aircurrents to search for the scent cone the person would leave. If there is no sign of human scent they are assigned a new area. These are categorized as boating accidents, swimming mishaps, or hazordouse conditions.
Human scent rises to the surface of the water.
Dogs work from boats airscenting searching for the scent scource. Water work must be done with considerations for the direction of the current in order to pinpoint the location of the subject. This type of search requires the dog to follow a specific humans scent. They may have to work in a highly contaminated area with other human scents. Mantrailing dogs learn to follow a track with all the distractions of the city and the unusual surfaces, mainly concrete.