I think they were trying to get them under the tires to get some traction..
Now, the obvious lesson that this video teaches?
1. Don't wheel alone.
2. If wheeling alone, be prepared. Have a winch, have stuff incase you get stuck [water, warm clothing for night, etc..]
3. Always check the depth of water pits before crossing them!
From other peoples stories, within the pine barrens the rangers will come out and recover you, or tow trucks can get back there and pull you out.. I don't know why those guys didn't stay with their truck after calling 911.. they could have easily of given them the GPS coordinates and wait a couple of hours.