Answering to 'the controllers' question, I think that is safe to cyclic to adjust for pitch and roll to stop or minimize sliding. Adjustments have to be small and you have to over come your tendency to jam the cyclic hard. Though you do have to know yours and the aircraft limits. To much input and you can mast bump, and as the video shows when the ship drops out from under you, you will be heading very quickly in the direction that your cyclic is pointing.
I think that the pilot thought that his rear right strap was still on, and that was why he tried to go backwards, in a very out of controlled way to say the least. Instead of flying away to the safety in wild blue yonder.
But yes a very un-organised situation.
Though I think the pilot did do a good job of keeping it dry, though maybe not his pants.
Wouldn't negative pitch be wonderful in such a situation.