Pull on the rope with a hand over hand motion, keep the line taut and pull the person to safety.
Do not make the mistake of throwing the coil "up"; throw it out over the water.
The important points to remember when using a rope for rescue work are to fasten the free end so the rope will not slip out of reach; to coil the rope properly so it will not kink or knot when let out; and to make a Bowline large enough to go around the body.
When a group of Scouts make a guard line, each girl makes a Bowline in the end of her rope, large enough to put her hand through, fasten her right-hand neighbor's rope to it by means of a Sheet-bend and holds her portion of the line in place by using the Bowline in her rope for a handle.
4. Two Half-Hitches
Two Half-hitches are used to make fast an end of rope to a pole, post, etc. It is a knot that can be easily undone. It is used for hauling, fastening awning ropes, flag ropes, etc.
To make a Half-hitch:
Take the end in the right hand;
Pass the end under and around the pole;