I've wondered, what if somebody really needs assistance. I'm a single hander and I guess I would just have to abandone my boat to go help. It can be easily replaced or repaired, unlike my fellow sailors.
You may need your boat to get someone to safety ... wouldn't it be better to round-up and use your righting line to tie off to the other boat?
Also, I carry a (folding) knife in my life jacket in case of entanglement with lines or tramp.
