What is the primary purpose of wearing a life jacket while boating?

Wearing a life jacket primarily serves the function of providing buoyancy, which significantly increases an individual's chances of survival if they find themselves in the water accidentally. Life jackets are designed to help keep a person's head above water, ensuring that they do not become submerged, which can quickly lead to drowning. This buoyancy factor is crucial, especially in emergency situations where a person may not be able to swim or may become disoriented in the water.

While complying with local laws is important, and being warm in cold water is a factor to consider, these do not address the essential life-saving role that life jackets play. Although wearing a life jacket can indeed make swimming easier, the primary purpose focuses on survival and safety in aquatic environments. Thus, the main reason for donning a life jacket is to enhance the chances of staying afloat and surviving in case of an unexpected fall or emergency in the water.