Paul Skoczylas wrote:

In a typical low head situation, PFDs won't save you--they'll just make it
easier to find your body (assuming it stays on). In this case, it sounds
like PFDs would have saved lives.

If a PFD provides enough flotation, wouldn't it be able to keep your head
above the water? I was surprised once that with drysuit, thick fleece,
and an Extrasport Hi-Float, I was able to breathe while trapped in a hole.
I would have stayed in the hole if not for a throwbag, but I could breathe.