That streamer is interesting kit. Would certainly come in handy for MOB situations if the MOB was conscious and could unfurl it. Or if a paddler was far offshore and needed assistance/rescue. It made me think of the Chicago-Mackinac race last year, when an experienced sailor went overboard during a strong storm in the night and was lost at sea.
Have never paddled the ocean. Great Lakes paddler here, daytime touring only so far. As to what safety gear I carry on me, VHS/DSC (MMSI not registered to any particular kayak as I have more than one), PLB, cell phone and the items required by the USCG. Expired driver’s license and chapstick in pocket. Most of the time I’ll wear a tow belt. There’s a USCG “if found” label in each of my boats. I avoid an overstuffed PFD, using a Kokatat Tactic Pack instead…
I prefer a clean deck so the only thing carried there is a spare paddle and Garmin Forerunner. Bilge pump rests on top of my foam footrest, paddle float stashed behind my seat with my hydration bag Sponge squished along the side of my seat. I have forward and aft day hatches for stuff like sunscreen, lunch, snacks, first aid kit, cag, etc. Dry bags with dry clothes, repair kit, etc. go in forward or aft hatch.
Before starting out for the day I’ll do a risk assessment of conditions, weather forecast (the latter having been checked the night before). and wind direction. I usually paddle northern Lake Michigan so wind direction and fetch are important (we have very short wave periods). I trust my instincts and have no problems switching to one of the large inland lakes within a short drive. Radius drysuit which I wear from spring into June or early July.
I don’t have enough experience on Lake Superior to be anything but cautious.
Interesting I like hearing what other have. I have taken several rescue classes at local kayak training facilities with ACA certified instructors and some day hope to earn my ACA instructor certification. Great point made on weather conditions, tides, wind, future forecasts, etc… I try and keep my deck to a minimum also besides the basics as I listed above. I have been stopped by the local coast guard (Menemsha Station - on the vineyard) when I was paddling pretty far out with a buddy and was “boarded” even tho they primarily do not board kayaks. I received great feedback on being prepared and it was documented on the paperwork they gave me for the safety check. They said they usually ALWAYS have issues with unprepared kayakers out in open water… they expected us to fall into the category of being under prepared and were surprised we basically carry “Blue Water” emergency equipment.
I honestly think that anyone kayaking in “open water” or the ocean should be required by law to have more than just a PFD and whistle. I try and educate other kayakers I meet to be sure they are prepared for the worst.
I also feel every kayaker should go through a boater safety program and take some self rescue classes.
Whistle, Mirror, Flashlight, phone, PLB is it for me. Surfskis dont allow for much storage. I always dress for extended immersion and figure if S really hits the fan I’m good for several hours in the water, though likely a rather unpleasant several hours in conditions that would result in impossible remounts or a broken leg leash.
those are some quite extensive emergency kits you guys carry. I’d probably take more with me if I had a day hatch or somewhere to store more though “if its not on you do you really have it?”. Although weight and impairing mobility discourage me from taking more too, so I guess im almost happy with my setup.
The last things I want to get is a marine radio to call harbor partol and a flare set. If i was going far offshore I’d probably load up on more stuff, but rarely go more than 2 miles out (still plenty of distance to get in trouble though)
I also have over 100 linear feet of reflective tape all over my boat and paddles to make myself easy to find at night. The coast guard chopper that partols the coast semi regularly around me shined me momentarily with the spot light a couple nights ago and i must have lit up like a christmas tree! the tape must have caught their eye from the side and shined me to investigate. Good to know I have enough on there to be rather conspicuous with just moonlight
A marine radio is a plus to have. Be sure you spend the little extra money to have DSC (digital selective calling) with GPS and MMSI. MMSI is to register your boat/radio with a specific identifying number. WHen you push the distress button it sends your MMSI number with the GPS coordinates to assist in locating you.
Here is a link and some photos of the “See Rescue Streamer”, $80 on Amazon. The case is very small for a 25ft long streamer. About the size of a 2 D Cell mag light. I keep it attached to the side straps on my PFD. All military pilots carry this as required equipment and now its avail to the public.
Your streamer lead me to the HTI (Hydration Technology Innovations) SeaPack pouch passive desalinatior.
Its no longer available on Amazon and I see it was discontinued. Does anyone know of a passive desalinator like the SeaPack still available? I’d like to have one of these, as I usually dont have enough water on me for extended survival (and its a good insurance policy to have after an earthquake when city water is not flowing)
It’s the smallest one person desalination unit on the market for one person.
Water is always a problem for longer trips, we kayaked Moosehead Lake in Maine for a week and camped on the islands around the lake. We used much more water than we expected and although Moosehead Lake is a fresh water lake we were unnerved by filtering the water and drinking so every night we would boil the water after it was filtered, bottle, and then that led to another problem we were running low on fuel. On big trips now I bring more water stored in collapsible bags. If it is calm enough someone can open your hatch and get the jug out to refill everyone.
If you ever get the chance to paddle Moosehead Lake it was an amazing 80+ mile trip.
I carry a folding knife in one of my PFD pockets, a signaling mirror in another pocket,( I don’t know why because I’ll never use it) and a length of line in another pocket. I also carry a whistle,(mainly because many of the races I enter require one).
If I am going off shore, I keep my VHF radio in my under deck bag along with lip balm and my sun glasses.
I keep a pump on my rear deck and my skirt is normally in the front compartment along with our lunch.
I used to keep a spare paddle on the back deck, but stopped carrying one a few years ago. if I should break a paddle, I’ll use one half like a canoe paddle
I monitor three different weather stations and don’t go out if storms or high winds are predicted so i don’t need or want all the yard sale junk.
I used to have a PLB, but don’t any more because my wife who always paddles with me has a SPOT
The only thing I carry in my pfd is my radio (for music and news) and my truck keys. Sometimes I carry my little bag in the boat with my cell phone and a few other things. That’s about it.
Lets see… the rules for paddling the Yukon 1000 mile race require that in a pocket, or attached to your PFD contain several items. A whistle and another signal device (mirror), a fire starting kit, a small knife, a credit card, $20U.S, $20CDN, and an emergency mylar or other (SOS) bivy sack. I include a spare set of batteries for my GPS, plus a set for my SPOT (a separate requirement). Except for the CC, CDN cash and bivy, everything else is normally always in my PFD pocket (Kokotat Orbit) for regular normal paddling trips.
When paddling whitewater, I wear an Astral Green Jacket PFD with a zippered pocket on the front. On the outside of the PFD is a fixed blade knife and a whistle. This Type V jacket has a quick release tow tether and I have a “cowtail” tow tether in a small side pocket of the PFD.
I carry an 80’ heavy duty throw bag in the boat, and wear a 60’ lighter throw bag on a quick release belt. Also around my waist is a loop of 1" tubular webbing for a drag system anchor secured with a locking carabiner.
Inside the pocket of the PFD are three more locking 'biners, two prussik loops, three lightweight pulleys and a small folding saw. When doing day trips or longer in semi-remote areas in cold weather I have also carried lightweight, 2 person bothy bag (bivy shelter), magnesium fire starter, and tinder.