Indiana Water Rescue Operations Practice Test

The short section of webbing attached to the back of a harness is called a cow-tail. It stays attached to the harness and provides a ready-to-use tether to the rope system for lowering, raising, or securing a rescuer or victim, without adding bulk to the main harness. Its compact length keeps it out of the way during rigging while still offering a quick connection point to the mainline or anchor. This differs from a strap that simply holds the D-ring, or from a harness loop or safety strap, which serve other functions on the rigging and aren’t the quick back tether used for rescue work. In water rescue practice, the cow-tail is the practical, short back tether you clip into the rope system as part of rapid attachment and retrieval.