Life jacket question watersports?

Question

do you wear one on a boat?

Answer 1

You probably should to be safe. And I'm pretty sure they do in water sports.

Answer 2

Not usually, however most laws (I think it varies by state) require that there must be at least the same amount of life jackets on board as the number of people, and children under a certain age are usually required to wear them.

Answer 3

it's a law in some states if you're under a certain age

it isn't really necessary on a boat if you can swim well and there's one available for you but in my opinion you should always wear a type 3 on a jet ski or while being towed from the boat

Answer 4

Non-swimmers and weak swimmers should wear US Coast Guard approved lifejackets whenever they are on the water.  A stowed lifejacket does a person no good following an accident, and unless you can swim well and have practice putting on a lifejacket in the water it is pretty much totally useless.

Any activity involving moving water, such as white-water rafting or inner-tubing, absolutely requires the wearing of Lifejackets specifically made for that activity.  Sailing, canoeing, or kayaking in small boats even on flat water would normally also require the wearing of a proper lifejacket.

On a larger boat, such as a sightseeing boat, Lifejackets are stowed and crew-members will help people get them and put them on in an emergency, so you need not wear one in that circumstance.

If you have any doubt at all, wear one!  

Emergencies happen suddenly and it is unlikely an untrained person would be able to retrieve a lifejacket and properly put it on in a short time or when in the water.