What is the primary role of a survival suit?

The primary role of a survival suit is to offer insulation against cold water. When a person finds themselves in cold water due to an emergency situation, such as abandoning a vessel, the risk of hypothermia increases significantly. A survival suit is designed to trap a layer of water close to the body, which is warmed by body heat, thus providing insulation and warmth.

The suit also minimizes the amount of cold water that directly contacts the skin, helping to maintain core body temperature for a longer duration. This is crucial for survival until rescue. Enhancements in a survival suit may also include buoyancy features, but the fundamental reason for its design is to protect the wearer from hypothermia in cold water environments.

Other options relate to functions that do not align with the primary purpose of a survival suit. For instance, while some suits might have pockets for small items, storage is not the main function. Similarly, they are neither designed to enhance swimming speed nor specifically protect against sunburn; while some suits may provide limited sun protection, their primary focus is on heat retention in cold water.