When can you legally ride without a life jacket on a PWC?

Riding without a life jacket on a Personal Water Craft (PWC) is subject to specific regulations that prioritize safety. The correct answer indicates that if you are 15 years old and wearing a properly fitting life jacket, you are legally allowed to operate a PWC without wearing one.

This regulation reflects the guidelines established to ensure that older, more experienced operators can navigate safely while still emphasizing the importance of personal flotation devices. The age requirement is set because younger riders may lack the necessary maturity and skills to respond effectively in emergency situations, hence the need for them to wear life jackets at all times.

The other options do not align with Indiana's boating safety requirements for PWC riders. For instance, simply being 10 years old does not meet the minimum safety guidelines. The existence of safety features on the PWC does not exempt the rider from wearing a life jacket. Speed limits are also not a factor in determining the legal requirement for wearing life jackets on PWCs. The focus remains on the age and adherence to safety measures, which underscores the importance of life jackets in promoting safe riding practices.