bbmg asked me to give my perspective as a naval aviator from my water training . we always flew with inflatible water wings , even shore based way inland where odds of a random water landing were less than 10% . there was a comment by someone experienced with water landings , i agree with his (her) reply . we also always carried a hook knife tied to our gear with chute cord . it's not a good idea to use it to cut suspension lines generally . landing close to shore while still avoiding underwater hazards if visible or predictable should b prioritized . getting light quickly is crucial , the main will definitely drag you to the bottom , keep something intact like pants that can b inflated if u have no other flotation . a signal mirror or something reflective is the most effective day device , strobe for night , off course connected to gear with lanyards . and unless the water is warm exposure becomes an issue quickly , hypothermia is the biggest water killer .
