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There are a few key reasons why it’s important to wear a life jacket when boating:
1. Safety – Life jackets provide buoyancy and help keep you afloat if you fall overboard or your boat capsizes. This can be critical for survival, especially in cold water.
2. Legal requirements – In many regions, it is legally required to have a Coast Guard-approved life jacket on board for each person, and often they must be worn, especially for children and in certain water conditions.
3. Unexpected emergencies – Boating accidents can happen quickly and unexpectedly, leaving you little time to put on a life jacket. Wearing one proactively ensures you are protected.
4. Improved mobility – A life jacket allows you to move around the boat safely and focus on operating the vessel, rather than worrying about staying afloat.
The key is that life jackets can be the difference between life and death in a boating emergency. Wearing one is a simple but essential safety precaution that can save your life. I’d strongly recommend always wearing a properly fitted life jacket when out on the water.