The Sacramento County Coroner's Office on Monday released the name of the young man who drowned on the American River.

He is 25-year-old Kevin Dixon of Concord. His friend, Kyle Pierce, told KCRA 3, no one in the group was wearing a life vest.

Watch report: Despite dangers of river, life vests sometimes forgotten

"We did not (wear life jackets)," Pierce said. "All of us, including myself, the vast majority of us are 7-year life guards. You know, we've done emergency training."

But it was not enough to save Dixon, who drowned near rapids in the Rossmoor Bar area of the river.

Even Monday, many young people were diving off the cliffs of the American River, just a few yards from where Dixon died. All of those observed by KCRA 3, including Jacob Waller, were not wearing a life vest.

"No, because I feel very confident in my swimming," Waller said.

But overconfidence can be a big problem on the river. Rescue experts say young people especially often overestimate their swimming abilities.

The American River is actually flowing faster this year compared with last year, said Erin Curtis, a spokeswoman for the Bureau of Reclamation.

"This year we are putting more water out of Folsom to manage Delta salinity than we were last year, because we're holding more water back in Shasta," Curtis said.

But the river is still below the 15-year average and has been losing 100 cubic feet per second every day since last Friday, according to the Bureau of Reclamation. Nevertheless, even low water levels can be deceptive.

"Sometimes when the river's flowing extremely high, drownings are actually lower because they look at it as more of a threat," said Michael Doane, chief park ranger for Sacramento County.

"And when the river's a little bit lower -- people feel that it's safer and sometimes it's just the opposite, because it funnels the swiftness to the center canal," Doane said.

And while children 13 and under are required to wear life vests on the river, young adults are often reluctant to do so.

"Well, I swam competitively in high school and stuff so I know I'm a pretty strong swimmer," said Courtney McFate. "So I'm not too concerned."

KCRA 3 asked Kelly Sloan why she was not wearing one herself. "I'm not wearing one now," Sloan admitted. "We aren't in deep water right now."

Too much courage, combined with alcohol can be a deadly mix.

Sloan acknowledged that she had an adult beverage nearby.

The American River is deceptively fast and exceptionally cold.

Park rangers said most people don't know the proper way to survive if they do get in trouble. The key is not to swim against the current. Even the best swimmers can get cramps. Instead, Doane said, swimmers should go with the current.

"Flip over onto your back." Doane said. "Keep your feet pointed down river. And then use your arms as a rudder and actually let your arms take you to the side."

Misti Sexton, a mother of two children, said putting her kids in life vests is important.

"Of course the safety of my children is always No. 1," she said.

But for those 14 and up, wearing a life vest is a tough sell, despite Sunday's tragedy.

"It is safer to use a life preserver," said Stephen Woods. "But I'm a pretty strong swimmer. I've been swimming since I was a kid."