What is a recommended practice to enhance safety while water skiing?

Wearing a life jacket is a fundamental safety practice while water skiing because it significantly increases the wearer's chances of surviving an accidental fall or injury in the water. Life jackets are designed to provide buoyancy and keep the wearer afloat, which is crucial during situations where individuals may be disoriented or fatigued. In the context of water skiing, where high speeds and water impacts are common, a life jacket can facilitate rapid recovery and provide essential flotation support. This preventive safety measure is reinforced by regulations from various safety and boating organizations that require life jackets to be worn while engaging in such water sports.

The other options, while relevant to safety, do not offer the same level of immediate personal protection as wearing a life jacket. Choosing a small boat may not necessarily enhance safety if the boat is not suitable for towing or if it lacks the necessary stability. Keeping others at a distance is advisable to avoid collisions, but it does not provide direct protection for the skier. Water skiing in calm conditions can improve safety by reducing the risk of injury from choppy waters; however, wearing a life jacket remains the most critical safety measure irrespective of weather or water conditions.