Before water contact, how should life jackets be worn and used?

• A. Put on the life jacket and fasten the strap; ensure the whistle is accessible; do not inflate inside the aircraft; inflate after exiting or on the life raft as instructed.
• B. Remove the life jacket before water contact.
• C. Inflate the life jacket immediately inside the aircraft.
• D. Do not wear a life jacket.

Answer: (A)

Don and secure a life jacket before water contact, with the whistle accessible and the inflation kept until you’re instructed to deploy it. The immediate goal is to be buoyant the moment you enter the water, so you’re ready to float without having to fumble with the jacket inside the aircraft. Fastening the strap ensures the jacket stays in place and doesn’t ride up or slip off during evacuation. Having the whistle handy gives you a signaling tool in case you’re separated from others or need attention on the water.

Inflating inside the aircraft is avoided because it can hinder your escape, complicate movement, and may cause the jacket to deploy at an inopportune moment. Inflation is intended to occur after you’ve exited the aircraft or once you’re on the life raft, following the crew’s instructions. Not wearing a life jacket or removing it before water contact defeats the purpose of personal flotation in a ditching scenario and increases risk.