During water rescue operations, a personal flotation device should be worn by anyone within _________ feet of the water?

• A. 5 feet
• B. 15 feet
• C. 10 feet
• D. 20 feet

Answer: (C)

Wearing a personal flotation device within ten feet of the water is a key safety rule in water rescue work. Being this close means a slip, trip, or sudden wave or current can occur before you have a chance to react, so having the PFD on immediately helps keep your airway above water and provides buoyancy right away. The device also makes you more visible to teammates and easier to locate if you enter the water or if conditions worsen. Ten feet is chosen as a practical safety buffer between you and the water’s edge, balancing the need for preparedness with the reality of near-water hazards. If you were closer than that threshold, you’d risk exposure with insufficient time to don protection; if you waited until farther away, you might not be protected quickly enough as conditions change.