What should you do upon encountering an inflatable life raft?

Upon encountering an inflatable life raft, the most appropriate action is to board it without damaging it. Life rafts are designed for emergency evacuation and can be critical for survival in the water. Safely boarding the raft ensures that you make use of the flotation and protection it offers against the elements. It is essential to avoid actions that could compromise the integrity of the raft, such as jumping onto it carelessly or causing any damage during the boarding process.

While it may be tempting to check for damages or to leave it untouched, the primary focus in a survival situation should be on maximizing your chances of staying afloat and secure. Opening the raft to inspect for damages could lead to unnecessary complications and risks, such as inadvertently deflating it. Similarly, using it solely as a flotation device for swimming does not utilize its full potential as an emergency shelter and could lead to further danger. Therefore, safely boarding the inflatable life raft is the recommended and practical response in such scenarios.