Does anyone carry a small survival kit when they go out?

Why the fascination with ultralight? You've got a kayak to carry your stuff, and even 5# of survival kit is going to be less than about 3% of the total weight of you, your boat, and anything else on board -- you will never notice the difference. With an ultralight mindset, you're going to be stuck wanting most times, and for no real reason when you can easily carry normal things that will actually solve a problem well beyond the "I'll just have to make do" stage.

I'm an EMT and a few other related things, so the lists beyond the first one are perhaps a bit over the top for most people, but I think everyone should have what's in the first list at an absolute minimum.

Here's what I carry on a quick (2-4 hour) hop.

  • First aid kit -- bandaids, 2x2 gauze pads, tape, 2" kling (aka roller bandage), some Advil, moleskin, tweezers, nitrile exam gloves, and some packets of bacitracin. Other things that I like having from EMT experience like trauma shears. Also, for me it's a moot point, but for everyone else, when your partner is bleeding profusely, don't you wish you'd read the first aid booklet ahead of time? (Or better yet, contact the Heart Association or Red Cross, and get training in first aid and CPR!)
  • A PFD, and it's worn. All the time. No matter how hot it is out. I'll open the zip, but the bottom buckle remains fastened. A compass lives in one pocket, and my blunt-tip knife lives in the other.
  • A means to get back in the boat: a paddle float, and a roughly 10 foot long loop of rope that I can make into a stirrup. (Also, practice using this until you don't have to think about it. PM me if you need details.)
  • A pump and a bailing sponge.
  • A whistle (I've got one on my PFD, one on my deck bag, and some stashed in various other places--they're cheap), and a signalling mirror.
  • A waterproof (dive-proof, actually) flashlight. Dive lights are inexpensive, they're super waterproof, and pretty much super indestructible.

On more involved trips, including anything on the open ocean, I add to that.

  • A flare gun, 4 flares (check expiration dates), and dye packs.
  • A tow rope and belt.
  • Paddle leash.
  • Spare paddle.
  • 2 way radio that operates on marine frequencies -- including channels 9 and 16. (USCG monitors these in US waters. Most local harbourmasters do as well.)

On my spray skirt is a strobe light. If I'm paddling at dusk/night, I have navigation lights fore and aft. Clothing goes in dry bags, and keys/wallet/phone goes in a dry box. Food goes into whatever makes sense. Some in boxes, some in bags, some in their own packaging -- bottles of juice, etc.

I think everyone should practice "what if" drills. Practice capsizing, bailing out the boat, then getting back in. Practice helping your kayaking buddy while you're in your boat, and in the water. I do this every year without fail. On a super hot summer day, "practice" whenever you want to cool off a bit -- it's a nice and easy way to keep your skills sharp.

/r/Kayaking Thread