Well I know that unplanned water landings (i.e. crashes into water) are almost always immediately fatal and any advice to improve your bouyacy may seem like a waste of time, but occasionally it makes a major difference.

I watched an aircraft, with over a dozen passengers aboard, take off, have an engine fire, flame out and crash into salt water within 90 seconds of take off. Everyone walked away, some with wet feet, minor but no serious injuries, and the aircraft totally sank to over 800 feet depth within 8 1/2 minutes. EVERY PAX PROPERLY DONNED AND WORE A LIFE JACKET.

For the record, the aircraft was CYHC, a de Havilland DHC-6-200 and the date was September 3rd 2003 Coal Harbour Vancouver BC.

As a FF'er who also does over 35 float plane segments a year, I always check where my life vest is before take off.

mpc1

edited for minor typo