So there seems to be some degree of consensus that life jackets will remain, and that they may have proved to be of value on rare occasions in the past.
Another item apparently carried on every flight that seems to have limited use is the crash axe. Has one ever been deployed other than to demonstrate to security that it is pointless to confiscate sharp-edged instruments from flight crew?
And if the axe is justified, is the flight deck the best place to keep it for any reason other than keeping out of the hands of the SLF?