15 things you should have on your kayak for the unexpected.

This a post from my BLOG that I felt was worth posting here.

I learned many things in the military. One is how to survive in the worst of situations. Another is that the military loves acronyms. And the most important, let command know where you are so they don’t call in an airstrike on your ass.  Though that was many years ago, I still use a lot of the training I received in my daily life, especially when it comes to outdoor activities. The first and most important thing is to let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back. It is tough to find someone when you don’t know they are missing. The next thing is that life is unpredictable. You have to be ready for anything. To insure that I get back to my family every day, I carry a go-bag in my car, my office, and my home. I also pack one in my kayak on every trip. Though their contents may vary a little, I use the acronym G.E.T.  B.A.C.K.  H.O.M.E.  S.A.F.E.  to load each bag.  I use a dry bag inside a backpack, that way it is easily packed on my back and the contents stay dry. The stowage of your pack will all depend on the type of kayak you use. I would like to share with you the list of items in my kayak go-bag. I hope that it will inspire you to assemble your own bag to help you get back home safe if you ever find yourself in a survival situation.

GPS

A waterproof GPS unit is invaluable in the wilderness. Be sure to check the batteries before every outing. It would be advisable to mark any waypoints along your route that you may need to get back to civilization (i.e., your vehicle, bridge, road, cabin or watch tower).

Extra Clothes

Even the most experienced paddler is going to turtle their kayak at some time. In the summer this may be refreshing, but in the winter, or when nightfall comes, dry clothes become a matter of life or death. An extra set of dry clothes can save your life. Include a brightly colored poncho to remain dry.

Tool Kit

This small kit contains a multi-tool, zip ties, duct tape and a plastic tarp. These few tools could be the difference in getting back to civilization. The duct tape can fix a broken paddle, or mend a gash in the hull of your kayak long enough to get back home. The tarp can be used as a ground cover, a rain fly, to haul firewood, collect rain water, or to signal for help. I carry a 5x7 tarp that is brown on one side and silver on the other. The silver will really stand out in the forest.

Burn

Fire provides warmth, safety, and a means of cooking food. A lighter and some dry tinder is a minimum. By the way, dryer lint makes great tinder. A better option would be a magnesium fire starter, which along with a knife, can be used to start a fire, even when it is wet.

Axe

You can’t have fire without wood, and a knife makes a horrible axe. Now I am not talking about hauling an axe in your kayak that would make Paul Bunyan jealous. A hatchet will do just fine. I pack the Gerber Bear Grylls Survival Hatchet. I also like the feeling of having some kind of defensive weapon at hand.

Cord

Paracord or 550 cord is indispensable. Take a minimum of 50 feet. The 550 refers to the breaking strength of the cord, but in my opinion, it can also refer to how many uses it has. For more ideas on using paracord, Google it.

Knife

A knife is crucial to survival. I carry a blunt tip dive knife on my PFD at all times, but I also carry a sharp pointed knife in my kit. I don’t believe I need to go into the uses a knife will have to you in the wilderness.

Headlamp

Not only will a headlamp get you back to shore in the dark, but it can help if you find yourself stranded. Find one with strobe and red light options. The red light will preserve your night vision and you can use the strobe as a beacon. Be sure to check the batteries before every outing.

Orienteering Tools

The first thing on our list was a GPS unit. However, it may become useless if the batteries fail. Make sure to have a current topo map of the area you are visiting, a mirror compass, and the knowledge of how to use them. Even if your GPS unit is operational, a topo map will still come in handy. The mirror on the compass can also be used for signaling.

Metal Canteen

I can’t understate the value of being able to store and sanitize water. In a survival situation, your number one priority is usually finding fresh water. Luckily, as a kayaker, we already know where fresh water is, unless you are on the coast. Having a good stainless steel canteen is essential to your survival. A good stainless steel canteen not only gives you the ability to store water, but it also doubles as a cooking vessel to sanitize any water you find. They’re also stronger than plastic bottles. The last thing you want to worry about is a leaking plastic bottle. Water is the key to survival. Without water you die. You need the ability to store, carry and purify water; a metal canteen can do all three.

Emergency Signal

Anything you can do to draw attention to yourself in a survival situation is key to being rescued. Along with the headlamp, mirrored compass, and tarp, I carry a whistle on my PFD. Not only does this come in handy on the water, it could save your life if stranded. Most states require a whistle or horn to be equipped on every vessel anyhow. Engineers tape or flagging tape is also a good idea. It is light weight and can be found at most home stores.

Solar Blanket

Shelter is important in a survival situation. A solar blanket not only provides warmth, but it also can be used as a signaling device or a rain water collector.

Another Paddle

Smart paddlers will tether their paddles to their kayak to prevent losing them. However, they can still be lost or worse, bent or broken. Purchase an inexpensive breakdown paddle and store it below deck or tethered to the back deck. It would be a shame if a lost paddle is your only reason for being stranded.

First Aid Kit

This item goes without saying. A small basic kit is all that is needed. I have added a small sewing kit, a fish hook removal kit, and a small tackle box with some basics to catch fish. If you take medications on a daily basis, include a good amount of these as well. A list of meds, allergies, blood type, and emergency contact info should be included as well in case you are found unconscious.

Energy Bars

Also known as protein bars, energy bars are exactly that: a high calorie, energy food bar meant to provide survival food and energy in an emergency.  Carry as many as you can fit in your bag.

How about a combat fishing survival list?

Good stuff!  I have a nice titanium dive knife that's been collecting dust - thanks for the bright idea to take it along!

I don't carry an axe but everything else is standard. I'd add a hand pump and a tow rope to the list

A compact mirror from the wife's makeup drawer works well as a signal mirror.

That's a good list.  However, I notice that your list doesn't include toilet paper.  You are apparently more hardened to tough living than I am.  Or perhaps less fastidious than I am.  I always bring toilet paper.

In general, I'm a big fan of creating gear lists, because they greatly reduce your chances of forgetting to bring something important, particularly when you are packing late in the evening before you leave, or you are switching from one activity to another from day to day.  I have a kayak fishing list, a multi-day whitewater kayak trip list, a kayak spearfishing list, a backcountry skiing list, a hunting list, etc.

I keep a lot of the things in your list (and also that very important toilet paper) in a small nylon stuff sack, which I bring with me on all outdoor activities.  I switch that bag from my hiking pack to my hunting pack or to a drybag, depending on what I'm doing.  It's a convenient way to be sure I always have those important basic items.

I also have a "save the trip" bag or small dry box for each activity, which contains replacements or repair supplies for items which could screw up a trip if they break or get lost.  For example, for spearfishing I have a small plastic dry box which contains an extra snorkel mouthpiece, an extra spear leash, an extra snorkel mask strap, and various other items.   In some cases, I have one bag of stuff which I take with me, and another bag or box of backup items which I leave in my vehicle.  For example, when kayak fishing, I leave a dry box in my car with an extra fish finder battery, an extra downrigger weight and cable, an extra reel, and some Mirage Drive repair items and tools.

Baby wipes rather than TP

That's what T-Shirts are for, in a, or after a, pinch.

Re: Energy bars - excellent call.

I often bring an "emergency" stash of food - not so much for myself, but to combat the calls of hunger my girlfriend uses as a pre-text to call an end to our fishing day.

That's what T-Shirts are for, in a, or after a, pinch.

I've returned home only wearing one sock many times.

KFU, is this gear always in your boat or does it change by trip.

That's what T-Shirts are for, in a, or after a, pinch.

I once asked a logger friend why his flannel shirts always had chopped off and mismatched length sleeves?  Cut as needed TP that you wear was the answer.

A pair of wire cutters.  I know at some point, I'm putting a hook through my finger.  I was told to cut off the end and use my fishing pliers to pull it out.  Put antiseptic on it, wrap it up with a bandaid, put a fresh latex glove on and continue fishing.   
The fishing pliers I carry do have a cutter on them but I want something super sharp and quick.
I also carry a first aid kit in a waterproof container.
As for the use of TP- so far, I've only kayaked in places that I can get to a floating outhouse or other portable bathrooms.  I know my dry suit has a backdoor but I'm not ready to give it a try out in the wilds.  It's hard enough when sitting on a seat.
Good list KFU!

A pair of wire cutters.

YES! Something sturdy and rust-resistant.

I love this discussion and it's a great list to work off of. I will say that I think context is very important. Sometimes I'm dropping my yak in for a 2 hour evening paddle where I'm never more than 100ft. from shore and there are 30,000 people around (so it seems). So I'm not worried about any kind of long term survival. But I love the list for cases where help may not be at hand, and it's always better to have something and not need it anyway.

Good stuff!

#16. Shotgun for jet ski's and furbags  I never carry tp in the kayak but there will come a day when I wish I did.

I currently carry in my PFD:
- A dive knife
- Sunscreen
- Emergency Strobe
- Power gummies (these make all the difference if you hit the wall)
- Sunscreen Chapstick
- Lense cleaners

I need to add some duct tape a lighter and extra paddle to my gear.

-Mark-

Great list!  And I'll use it for hook and line fishing trips.  But I must say that everyone has their own level of risk tolerance.  When I paddle offshore with my spearfishing buddies we each have a knife, light and pfd.  Some of the thrill comes with a bit of risk taking.  Hopefully I'll never regret that.