Kayak and SUPs offer a form of connivence that brings both the simplicity of a shore trip and the mobility offered by a motorboat. Because they are slow and small watercraft, safety consciousness becomes very important. Weather conditions should be watched closely, and a plan should be developed before launch.
But trip plans, especially under man-power, rarely go as planned. This unpredictability leads to adventure, which is half the fun. It is also a good reason to be prepared. And with limited packing space, emergency gear must be kept to a minimum. Here are the bare essentials.
The first is a no-brainer. A personal flotation device (PFD) is required on many waters, but many waters do not require boaters not under power to wear them. A PFD does you no good strapped to the deck in an emergency, when you’ll need it most. Find one that’s comfortable and wear it.
Also consider wearing, in the pockets of that PFD, other emergency gear. A small first-aid kit, signaling devices, a phone or small radio in a dry-case, all of these things might be useful if you find yourself separated from your boat. And, speaking of the boat, you need a good waterproof light source to see and also to signal others to your presence. Many a kayaker has been caught out after dark because of unforeseen circumstances or merely because the fish were biting.
Chances are you eventually find some sort of misadventure. Fish with buddies, and be prepared when the unexpected happens.