What key safety gear should always be on board?

Having life jackets for all passengers on board is vital for boating safety. They are essential safety gear designed to keep individuals afloat in the water. In emergency situations, such as capsizing or falling overboard, life jackets significantly reduce the risk of drowning. It is not just a recommendation but a legal requirement in many regions that all passengers have access to appropriately sized life jackets.

While items like fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and signal flares are important for safety, they serve specific purposes in emergencies. Fire extinguishers are crucial for handling onboard fires, first aid kits provide medical assistance for injuries, and signal flares are used for signaling distress to other vessels or rescuers. However, the immediate safety of passengers in the water takes priority, making life jackets the most critical item on any boat, as they are directly related to personal buoyancy and survival.