What is the main purpose of wearing a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) while boating?

Wearing a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) primarily serves to ensure safety and prevent drowning. A PFD is designed to keep a person afloat in water, significantly increasing their chances of survival in the event of an accident, such as falling overboard or capsizing. It provides critical buoyancy that helps individuals remain above water while they await rescue or make their way to safety.

While staying dry and providing warmth are important considerations in certain boating scenarios, those are not the primary functions of a PFD. The primary focus of wearing a PFD is safety; it is a crucial layer of protection that can save lives. Additionally, while compliance with boating regulations is essential and in many regions it is legally required to wear a PFD, that is not the main reason for its use. The primary goal remains the safety of the individual on the water.