When it works correctly the tube needs to fully inflated, you then should be able to sit in the tube, with your butt barely touching the water. You then pull yourself across the creek using either the rope the tube slides along or if the leash rope is attached you could use that rope to pull you across. When I installed the main rope I got too cold to try to attach the leash rope to the shackle. This leash rope allows you to pull the tube across the creek if the tube happens to be on the opposite side when you need it.