Steelie Drew is right on, always carry a knife in the boat, or fishing on the bank.

Personally I always wear my rafting life jacket because not only does it keep me warm it keeps me safe. The knife is on it just in case my waders take on water that way I can hopefully cut the ankles out so I don't load up with water and sink to my death.

Glad they made it out safely. You don't last long in spring runoff. It was snow the day before.