Which equipment is specifically carried for water ditching and what is its purpose?

• A. Life jackets for passengers and crew and life rafts; to provide buoyancy and survival capability in a water landing.
• B. Fire extinguishers and first aid kits; to control fires at sea.
• C. Oxygen masks and PBE; to assist breathing in water.
• D. Seat cushions and pillows; to provide flotation on the water.

Answer: (A)

In a water ditching, the priority is to keep people afloat and capable of surviving until rescue arrives. The equipment carried for this scenario is life jackets for everyone and life rafts. Life jackets provide immediate buoyancy the moment you enter the water, helping to keep heads above water and preventing drowning. Life rafts extend that safety by offering a larger, more durable flotation platform that can accommodate multiple people and include survival items, giving a stable place to stay while awaiting help. This combination is specifically intended for over-water landings, which is why it best fits the question. Other items, like fire extinguishers and first aid kits or oxygen masks and PBE, serve different emergency needs or do not provide reliable flotation in open water, and seat cushions are not standard survival gear for ditching.