What is the primary purpose of a life jacket?

The primary purpose of a life jacket is to provide flotation support to the wearer. When a person falls overboard or finds themselves in a situation where they are in the water, a life jacket is designed to keep their head above water, significantly increasing their chances of survival. The buoyant materials and design of a life jacket assist in maintaining the individual’s position afloat, allowing them to breathe and signaling for help if necessary.

While keeping passengers warm, looking stylish, or serving as storage may be secondary considerations in specific scenarios, they do not capture the essential life-saving function of a life jacket, which is to ensure that an individual can stay buoyant and safe in the water until rescue or assistance arrives. Understanding this fundamental purpose underscores the importance of wearing a life jacket whenever on or near water.