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

Wearing a life jacket primarily serves the critical function of preventing drowning in the event of an accident. Life jackets are designed to provide buoyancy, allowing an individual to remain afloat even if they are unconscious or unable to swim. This safety device is essential in various boating situations, as it dramatically increases chances of survival by ensuring that wearers stay above water until help can arrive or until they can safely reach land.

While keeping warm in cold water is sometimes a secondary benefit of certain types of life jackets, their primary intent is safety. Comfort during a ride and buoyancy for fishing are not the fundamental reasons for using a life jacket. The focus, especially in emergency scenarios, should always be on how effectively the life jacket can protect a person from the risks associated with being in water unexpectedly.