For longer towing chores, a floating tow line is clipped into the cow-tail
to provide more separation between the kayaks.

To retrieve a loose kayak or to provide a quick tow to a stable paddler, you can clip the cow-tail onto deck lines or the bow toggle and proceed with both kayaks facing the same direction. The bow of the boat you are towing in this manner will be just aft of you and is not likely to interfere with paddling.

In turbulent water, the bow of the kayak you are trying to get a towline on may be bouncing up and down a couple of feet or more, so you have to be careful not to get hit in the face or speared in the ribs. While busy paying attention to your own stability and safety, you must be sure of clipping into the tow in a proper manner. To clip into a kayak on your right side, the cow-tail must lead from your back and directly away to the right. To clip into a kayak on your left, the cow-tail must lead from your back and away to the left. A common error is to inadvertently cross the cow-tail across your stomach. If the line crosses your stomach the towing tension will be off-center, the cow-tail will have a very short working length and the quick-release will be compromised. This is an easy error to commit, but an easy one to avoid. When working on your off side, pass the cow-tail behind your back before clipping into a kayak.

As with any safety and rescue gear or techniques, plenty of practice in rough but controlled conditions is essential.

If your PFD does not have belt loops already built in, you can sew some on or incorporate loops between the PFD's side cinches. (Permanently altering a PFD may revoke the Coast Guard approval.) The belt loops will stop the belt from rotating around your body and keep the buckle in place, easy to find, and quick to release. Incorporated with the PFD, the belt and cow-tail are always with you, never forgotten, and always close at hand. When integrated into the design of the PFD, the strain on the tow-belt is spread out across the lower part of your chest. An independent tow-belt that rests around your waist below your PFD doesn't take advantage of the padding and comfort your PFD can provide. The safety and reliability of a rescue belt with a cow-tail has been proven through a long history of demanding use for whitewater rescue.