It depends on the weather. How's the water in LA this time of year? During the summer I probably wouldn't have done anything differently, except maybe carry a blanket to sit on at the campsite / just in case. In the winter I'd be a little more careful because of the cold swift water. I have a warm set of clothes in a space bag in my jeep which I probably would have thrown in the boat for a winter trip.

The most important piece of advise though would be a PFD, especially if the water's cold. I have no way of verifying this, but the line that I've heard is that unless a person is conditioned to swimming in cold water, he would not be able to swim 50 yards in 50 degree (10 C) water.

So, I can't say I would have done anything drastically differently. It sounds to me like your EDC did exactly what it was supposed to do.

Chris.