V-Lowers take time to set up properly.  Always use a rescue vest so you can make a fast get-away.  In heavy turbulent water, the rescuer may porpoise and get pulled under water periodically.  The belayers and rescuer work as a single team, good communication via hand signals is vital.  V-Lowers with a raft are usually a bit safer if set-up correctly.  Overweight the downstream end of the raft so it doesn't take on water.  A quick release knot is an important part of the set-up.  As with most rescues, set appropriate downstream safety.

The main advantages of this technique is the ability to position a raft or person at the accident site with pinpoint accuracy.  If lowering a raft into position, this typically provides a very stable rescue platform to work from.  Some of the main drawbacks are it takes a fair amount of time to set-up and setup is often very complex.  It is pretty easy to lower persons but very challenging to move back upstream.  Use of a single wrap around a tree is often necessary as the forces are far higher than most people expect.  Many fail to set a deep enough angle, a 45^o angle or less is ideal - basically a very deep V.