Note: you have the same issue with all the other dist locks with auto-release. If you have a mission critical use case you could: 1. Try real time kernel exten

Note: you have the same issue with all the other dist locks with auto-release. If you have a mission critical use case you could: 1. Try real time kernel extensions. 2. Try a time bomb or watchdog process as you suggested. 3. Put monitoring systems to avoid load to go over a certain level. 4. Tune the Linux scheduler params. 5. Use TTLs that are comparatively very large compared to the work you need to do with the lock hold.