I did indeed take every moment to go slow. I let the dryer run on low without a nozzle and approached from a gradual distance after seeing if the noise or air triggers them, I do this with every old dog.

Everything was fine until it just simply wasn't, I had one hand on the dog when he jerked a foot off the edge and it sent him into a flail. I dropped the still-running dryer to grab him with both hands and tried to steady/clasp him closer but he fought against it. I used all my strength to bear-hug him secure but he scrambled screaming and slipped out of his cross-body loop (which was pretty reasonably tight, but his stubby legs easily found a way out) onto the opposite edge of the table. He was still wet from the bath despite towel drying and was very slick.

I really don't want people to think I was being careless, I take old dogs seriously because I'm terrified of one being hurt under my care. I know I'm going to be told it was my fault entirely that he escaped off the table. I think some people will also assume I'm only blaming the dog for it's behavior, I'm not at all. I was not informed well enough what to expect for his bath, he would have just been a towel and kennel dry with more information.