Self rescue is from people on scene. You guys did the right thing, and saved that guys life. You should be proud. I am an advanced swift water rescue expert, and I understand what Hoh is saying. You have to be careful tying off a life jacket, and getting in swift water. Easy for the guy to get pulled under water and the guys on the bank dont let go. What you did is called "live Bait", and is very dangerous. All of our PFDs have a release to get free. A guy on scene has to decide what level of invovlement he wants, but you dont want to become part of the problem. Just my two cents