Ride the Waves with Confidence: Rhode Island Boater Test 2025 – Set Sail for Success!

The primary purpose of a Personal Floatation Device (PFD) is to keep a person afloat in water. PFDs are designed to provide buoyancy, which helps to prevent drowning by ensuring that an individual remains on the surface of the water. This safety feature allows the wearer to stay above water, even if they are unable to swim or become unconscious. Properly fitted PFDs can significantly enhance a person's chances of survival in emergency situations, such as capsizing or falling overboard.

While PFDs might offer some insulation against cold water, which could provide warmth, their primary function is flotation. Additionally, they do not help individuals swim faster, as that is not their purpose. PFDs are also not designed to act as signaling devices; though some PFDs may have reflective materials or can be used to attract attention in emergencies, their main role remains to support buoyancy and keep the wearer safe.