What is the function of a Life Jacket (LJ)?

• A. It is designed to keep someone afloat, face up.
• B. It is designed to float a person on its back.
• C. It serves as a flotation device for the cabin floor.
• D. It is used only on the ground as a flotation demonstration.

Answer: (A)

A life jacket is there to keep you afloat in the water and, importantly, to keep your face toward the air so you can breathe and be seen by rescuers. The buoyancy floats you up and the design helps orient your head so your airway stays above the water, which is the key to preventing drowning. It’s not about floating on the back or serving as a prop on the cabin floor or for a ground demo; its primary purpose is to provide buoyancy and proper orientation in water, making it easier to stay safe until help arrives.