Originally Posted By: Art_in_FL
I have sometimes attached a lanyard or cord to a pack that is tied off at my waist if I ford a river or think there is some risk me and my gear might part ways.

a note of caution, your pack, if attached to you and then you lose your balance and fall in, might pull you down and under.

i too, like you, have the important things tied to the pack exactly as you described. but when fording, i'd undo the pack's waist strap and sternum strap. i figure if i fell in i'd let the pack go and save myself first w/o the extra weight. then i'd go look for the pack. ymmv.
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