Every thread or post I see about anchors someone will ask about a quick disconnect for emergency situation. Can someone enlighten me on what these emergency situations are? I'm drafting up a new anchor system for my kayak and I want to make sure I understand all the aspects.

Getting caught broadside in a fast flowing current would be an emergency.

Also on lakes/coastal waters getting broadsides to large waves is also an emergency.

i think
have plenty of slack

DUI or other motorboat moving fast towards you that doesn't see you, and you need to move kayak and your rope connection to that kayak out of the way fast.

Essential personnel, equipment or supplies lost overboard in strong wind or current and someone has to disconnect and paddle quickly before it gets out of exhaustion range, to retrieve.

I like an anchor rope design similar to a marker buoy setup where a rope loop or eyelet can be used at varying rope lengths. I would use an instant-release pull clip at the end of a short rope attached to the kayak which is then attached to the loop/eyelet on the floating Part of the buoy setup to anchor. There are also other variations on this basic idea.

The fast current is the biggest deal imo. I once got caught in terrible current in keystone lake. As I was pulling in my anchor it pulled the side of my yak underwater. I quick cut the rope and ended up fine but for a second it was a real pucker moment.