On the water, which combination should a US Sailing instructor or coach have?

• A. Wear a life jacket only
• B. Carry a whistle without a radio
• C. Wear a U.S.C.G.-approved life jacket, a radio, and a safety knife
• D. No safety equipment is required

Answer: (C)

The main idea is safety readiness on the water for an instructor or coach. For that role, having a U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket to wear ensures you stay buoyant and protected if you go overboard. A radio is essential for summoning help quickly in an emergency, especially when you’re far from shore or coordinating with other boats. A safety knife provides a quick way to cut lines or rigging if you become tangled, which can be a critical release tool in tense situations. Without any one of these, response times and personal safety are compromised: a life jacket alone leaves you without immediate communication or line-cutting options; a whistle without a radio helps attract attention but not to call for help; no safety equipment at all is unsafe and not appropriate for on-water instruction.