I wouldn't be surprised if life-jacket boy was employing juju protection. The reference below is old, but then what changes in Africa?
http://www.parascope.com/articles/0297/congorpt.htm
SPECIAL OPERATIONS RESEARCH OFFICE
The American University
COUNTERINSURGENCY INFORMATION ANALYSIS CENTER
5010 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20016
SORO/CINFAC/6-64 8 August 1964
WITCHCRAFT, SORCERY, MAGIC AND OTHER PSYCHOLOGICAL PHENOMENA AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS ON MILITARY AND PARAMILITARY OPERATIONS IN THE CONGO