To deploy a long towline, pull the loop of the line out of its bag; you will have both ends of the towline in hand. Clip the cow-tail carabiner to the loop; you are now ready to go. Before proceeding into a rough water rescue, you can also pull all the line out of the bag, and stuff it under deck bungies or just stuff it under your PFD. Once again, deploy the towline properly to the right or left above; avoid crossing the towline in front of your body. Unclip the towline carabiner from the loop and clip it to the bow toggle or forward deck line of the kayak you intend to tow.

Keep your back deck as uncluttered as possible, as long towlines will snag under the edges of a spare paddle, on rudders, or other gear on the back deck. The farther back the line becomes snagged the more difficult it will be for you to execute the tow: If the line is snagged well aft it will prevent you from turning. The towline must pivot from the center of your kayak for you to retain your kayak's maneuverability.

A cow-tail is a useful and reliable piece of safety and rescue equipment that can be incorporated with a long towline to make a safe and multipurpose towing system. Well designed and properly deployed, a towline is a great help keeping hampered kayakers out of harm's way or rescuing a victim from a dangerous situation.

Doug Alderson is a BCU- and CRCA-certified kayak instructor and the author of The Savvy Paddler: More than 500 Tips for Better Kayaking. He lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.