Complete Dictionary of Dreams

by Dr. Mıchael Lennox
A life jacket keeps you afloat in water in order to save your life. Water is a symbol of emotions, and needing a life jacket in a body of water implies that an overwhelming amount of feelings is causing you great fear and / or discomfort.

The life jacket is therefore a symbol of your ability to surrender and not allow the overwhelm you are experiencing to do any damage.

If you dream of a life jacket, you are connecting to whatever will keep you safe while you ride out some difficult emotional experience.

If someone in your dream is wearing a life jacket, consider what that person represents as a character aspect of yourself, as that may be the quality that is needed right now to keep yourself afloat.

My Dream Interpretation

by myjellybean
To dream that you are wearing a life jacket symbolizes that you are in need of some support and reassurance.

To dream that you are not wearing a life jacket when you should be, indicates that you want to approach your problems and feelings head on, despite the notion that it may be painful or uncomfortable.

New American Dream Dictionary

by Joan Seaman - Tom Philbin
1. Feelings of security, personal safety.

2. Confidence in conflicts and confrontations.