And likely struggling with a length of cable still attached to his harness.
I'm sure 100 feet of line weighs enough to reduce your floatability

I'm sure it does but he had no more than 20' above him when the cable cut.

What with the shock of the fall, the weight of the cable and the casualty hanging on to him it's no wonder he was blowing like a steam train!

Just because it says SAR don't believe they always know what is going on!

100ft, 20ft...we are splitting hairs here. Lol Either way, he had alot to contend with and I can only imagine the conversation back at base afterwards.