Glad to see more safety awareness than in the past. I have always used the life ring attached to fifty feet of floating line and fortunately have never needed it. One thing I do differently, I have a pair of floating spike handles tucked under a rubber band on the ring as well as another set on the opposite end strapped to a bowline loop. If the victim has enough strength to use the spikes it makes rescue easier, plus the extra set means I can get the bowline over me and use the spikes to crawl away with power.
Be safe!