What the heck... didn’t anyone know how to swim?!
Bkmk.
This probably has no merit in this particular case; but, knowing how to swim does not help you in fast water.
I've been rafting on the Cahutta and Chatooga rivers in Georgia. You have to take a river survival class each time. If you fall out of the raft you must just lie on your back and go feet first down the rapids. Any attempt to grab a rock will result in a broken arm or the hide ripped from your hands. You will eventually reach a wide spot where the water calms a bit. Lines with loops will be fired across your body. You are expected to put that loop over your head and under your armpits. Three big guys will haul you to shore.
I did fall out once. I was totally helpless. The first calm spot had no lifeguards present, so I tried to get out myself. I could not hold onto anything, be it a rock or branch. The lifeguards were at the second wide spot; and, true to their word, they launched three ropes across my body. I chose one and looped it under my armpits as directed. They pulled me out. I was so weary from the exertion and the cold water that I went to sleep right where they laid me. I woke up later on a heated mattress with heated blankets on top of me.
Without a trained rescue, I'd be dead. Usually I'm a good swimmer.