I think it's important that people learn to swim and survive in water I'm those situations.Wow you and that dog have sure had an eventful life!!! Haha glad everybody was okay!! Does he have his dew claws? I have read it is easier for dogs to get out if they have them. They dig in with them. And use them to make sharp turns and stops and stuff too And ours always held things with it haha
Many people have died jumping in to save animals so glad you had the sense not to and glad he had the sense, smarts, and determination to keep trying!! Because sadly many do give up or people panic and dive in after them and then they both drown.
Or often the human will drown trying to save the dog and the dog will climb out fine on its own.
They did a survey in the area that I live in in about 90% of people don't know how to swim. I was shocked!