I see this often in boating where adults don't wear a PFD, kids are made to. It's the "do as I say, not as I do" crowd.
Reminds of the parents I see our riding a bicycle with their kids. Kids all have helmets, parent(s) do(does) not.
Agreed. Sometime, cost may be an issue. Parents provide their kids with PFD / helmet. etc. While the parents themselves feel they could handle the risk without safety equipment, to save some money.
I know of people having their personal self inflating PFD. But when they are on a boat, their PFD is nearly stored in their bag. Reasons for not wearing PFD is uncomfortable, embarrassed to be seem wearing one.
These people believe that they have sufficient time to put on their PFD before things get ugly.