A.k.a. instinct. Wouldn't the majority of people in this situation, past climbing experience or not, try to hold on to that branch with all possible strength? I

A.k.a. instinct. Wouldn't the majority of people in this situation, past climbing experience or not, try to hold on to that branch with all possible strength? It's either that or possibly severe injury/death. It's possible the climbing experience makes the OP do this action in a better way than people with no such experience though.