What is an inflatable life jacket primarily designed to do?

An inflatable life jacket is primarily designed to ensure flotation while a person is unconscious. This type of life jacket automatically inflates upon immersion in water or can be manually activated to provide buoyancy. The main goal is to keep the wearer's head above water, allowing them to breathe even if they are unable to swim or are incapacitated.

While providing warmth, changing color in water, or increasing swimming speed may seem beneficial, these are not the primary functions of inflatable life jackets. Their design is focused on safety and floatation to protect individuals in distress, highlighting the importance of being equipped with gear that can effectively maintain buoyancy in emergency situations.