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mtarascio t1_j42dn5z wrote

>“‘Just yourself. Not your backpack. Leave it,’” she told him as they prepared to escape, according to Doan.

I'm in two minds about the backpack, especially after this next sentence.

>“She tried to hold on to him and it was hard to stabilize things with the current,” Doan said. “And they got separated.”

I feel like using the backpack as a kind of harness to help hold on might be a good idea, probably one without a buckle but tightening the straps would have been better than holding with a hand. Although huge risk of just slipping through the straps as well.

Not trying to judge the Mom at all, just thinking out loud for myself if I ever hit such a situation.

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homonatura t1_j42gfao wrote

Backpack also becomes a sail in the water and drags you, obviously depending on the details in the moment it could go either way but I think I would still ditch it personally.

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SuperSimpleSam t1_j438l13 wrote

> just thinking out loud for myself if I ever hit such a situation.

Probably the best bet is to put them on your back and have them hold on with arms and legs. This way it's less likely for the water to get between and pull you apart. This also keeps them high in the water.

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