Keep in mind that Hall could walk.
The first climber could not walk. He could not even stand with help. He was a 250 pound frozen ice cube.
The two native Sherpa guides could not lower his frozen body down the slope.
If the first climber could stand up, joke and walk on his own like Hall, he'd probably be alive today.
You are absolutely right, I have no doubt that Hall's condition is what saved his life. I wonder what happened to him in the first place that caused his party to desert him?