When fitting a guest with a life jacket, what is a crucial consideration?

When fitting a guest with a life jacket, ensuring that it keeps the guest's mouth above water is crucial. This is the primary purpose of a life jacket: to provide buoyancy and support in the water, helping to prevent drowning. A properly fitted life jacket should allow the wearer to stay afloat comfortably and have their mouth and nose above the water's surface, which is vital for breathing and maintaining consciousness if they are in distress.

A life jacket that does not achieve this function may lead to hazardous situations, as it could increase the risk of submersion and hinder the wearer's ability to breathe and stay calm in an emergency. Therefore, when selecting and fitting a life jacket, it is essential to prioritize this aspect to ensure the safety of the guest.