I partly agree, Rus. Some stuff was out of his control? Yes. All? No. He thought she could swim that far? In ideal conditions and perfect health, nevermind after an accident? Maybe, but wearing lifejackets or not flying over water is clearly something that's within the influence of the flight crew.

I'm not trying to bash him. He's going to have to live with that misjudgement.

Maybe "bonheaded"ness isn't the same as "itcan'thappentome-itis" but "They", who keep making these life endangering decisions, frustrate me. (Or non-decisions, as the case may be.)

Out of curiosity, do pilots - Military or civil - have to learn any survival skills to get/maintain their licences?