Speaking as an individual with two certifications in swift water rescue as well as having worked as a safety boater and tethered swimmer for many commercial trips as well as multiple international whitewater events including the races leading up to the Atlanta games, I've got to say that he is one lucky SOB. There was an obvious lack of preparedness and knowledge on the part of the "rescuers" and the fact that our hero was able to jar him loose was basically dumb luck. I'm not going to belabor the point, but all those people who were standing on the rock seriously need to get a basic understanding what should have been happening once the swimmer became pinned/entrapped. Mr swimmer needs to review how to swim in moving water as well. Always keep your body parallel to the surface of the water, whether on your back floating or on your belly actively swimming, never let your legs and body hang down. That was really close to being a bad day.
