What TV show did you get this ill conceived idea from?

You have created a false situation where the only alternatives are bad ones. If you truly cannot go around the swollen river, the only safe alternative is to wait it out. Find a safe spot on higher ground where you can build a camp and wait.

Patience is your best asset in such a situation, although in the real world you will have other options.

Crossing a swollen river like you described by yourself is extremely dangerous, especially in the winter.

While I am sure this is a re-invention of the wheel, I plead guilty to believing I just thought it up.

It is an exercise in creative thinking. You know, like you might have to do in a survival situation if you run out of the more conservative alternatives.

If you think awful, "impossible" things cannot happen, or that what you have thought of up to now is all you'll ever need, then good for you and there is no need to play the game.

First step: Break out the map and look for bridges or other crossings. If you recall, Chris McCandless got stopped by the Teklanika River 1/4 mile from a tram across the river. Hike to crossing and walk back down other side.

Second step: If that doesn't work, hike upstream and look for less lethal places to cross. Next, go downstream and repeat.

Third step: Accept that you're not going to cross the river today and either make camp for the night, or head toward toward a road that doesn't require crossing the river. EDIT: Now would be a really good time to break out the cell phone

Save the "heroic" solutions for TV personalities. You don't get paid enough to get yourself killed off camera.

Good ideas, though not a scenario solution.

I'm sorry dweste. I just don't get the point of this. I guess I could try to imagine a scenario where my kid was stuck on the other side of that river, maybe sick or hurt, and my natural instinct for survival would come second to saving his life, but, even then, the laws of nature still rule. A dead mom can't help him.

If we're ignoring immutable laws of nature in this scenario, then why can't I use one of Harry Potter's spells to create something out of thin air to get me across? Or maybe we could disrupt gravity for a little while so I could float across?

I'm sorry. Crossing would be foolhardy so I'm not playing.

Think I'll use my mini belt hatchet to knock a bear unconscious and then use him, or her, as a raft which I'll guide with a hiking pole until the water gets too deep and then I'll use a titanium spork to paddle the rest of the way.

Or there's always the zip-line that I keep carabinered to my backpack.

If the river is 50 feet across i.e about 15 metres then diving to the centre of the river in your speedos (15 feet is deep enough) should be doable from a raised embankment or platform and should get you about 30-40 feet across before resurfacing. (if you can do a pool length 25m underwater) Your gear will be rolled up in your waterproof jacket tied to your one of your feet with the paracord. You should be able to get to the other side within about 30 seconds. You can then pull your bundle across once you have made it to the other side. Dry off and get clothed again (dry clothes wrapped in the waterproof bundle) and build an emergency fire to ward off potential hypothermia.

It won't be a very pleasant swim and could be potentially dangerous and life threating resulting in grim reaper deciding its your turn, but should be doable. As always practice will help.

Broughty Ferry Dook

Edit: Make sure that you bring your knife (around you neck) with you in case you have to cut the paracord if it gets snagged and is unrecoverable.

Sorry, this may apply in winter in some places, but in the northern half of North America it's foolhardy at best. Immersion in ice water shuts down the human body with frightening speed.