Why is it crucial to wear your life jacket correctly?

Wearing a life jacket correctly is crucial for ensuring maximum buoyancy, which can be lifesaving in an emergency situation. A properly fitted life jacket provides adequate support to keep the wearer’s head above water, allowing for easier breathing and increasing the chances of survival until help arrives. If the life jacket is not worn correctly, it may not function as intended, which could lead to situations where the wearer could slip out of the jacket or it might fail to provide adequate flotation.

In addition to buoyancy, wearing a life jacket correctly can also help to prevent choking or drowning. It is designed to keep the body in a safe and upright position, which is vital if someone is incapacitated, unconscious, or disoriented after a fall into the water. Understanding how to properly wear a life jacket is a basic but critical skill in personal survival techniques when at sea or on any waterway.