GILLHAM, Ark. (AP) — Two boys say they used lessons learned in Boy Scouts to survive overnight after being swept away by the Cossatot River in southwest Arkansas.

Eleven-year Preston Pierce of Queen City, Texas, and 10-year-old Joseph Clark of Ashdown were wearing life jackets when they were caught up in the river’s fast current Wednesday. The boys climbed from the water and spent the night along the Cossatot River bank and were found safe Thursday by searchers.

The boys tell the Texarkana Gazette that they had close encounters with cottonmouth and copperhead snakes, but neither was hurt. They said they used their life jackets as pillows.

Authorities say the life jackets may have saved the boys’ lives.

 

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.