Bilge pump

here's a cheaper alternative (saved me once  )

http://www.paddling.net/store/showProduct.html?product=118

I have one of these and a hand pump. I think the most important thing about carrying equipment like this is to make sure it is accessible when the situation arises. If you keep it in your hatch but it's floating near the back of your yak where you can't get to it in an emergency it's not going to help you all that much. I put both my sponge and hand pump in a mesh bag that is tied to one of my front scuppers so I can easily get to it through the rod pod or front hatch even if my kayak is half full of water.

-FF

 

  While I still don't have a "Bildge pump" when the need arises, I do have at least 2 hand towels within reach (wipe fish slime off) they do ok to sop up water.  However is one is sinking, Not so much......

I have a hand pump and a tile setters sponge, holds a lot of water, I also have  six or seven noodles just in case. Internal flotation-unsinkable.

My pump is fastened to the outside of my kayak when I am in the ocean. Lakes I don't carry it.

I carry a pump most times but I found a 1 gallon an 1 quart freezer bag works pretty good. If you have a major hull breach, you are going down unless you have internal floatation.

Mooch, 
 Seems like that sponge would be worth a look for the price and would be handy for the incidental water that I towel out from time to time (mostly when I store it vertical out in the rain).  So you don't carry a pump?
I do not carry a bilge pump and not sure how much good it would really do. If your taking on that much water you could not paddle and pump so might as well rely on your pool noodles, PFD and your radio in my book.
I like safety but, I am also trying to be realistic about how much crap I want on board.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=25776.msg273255#msg273255

Pump save day the day here.  I remember it well.  They pumped out the boat, they put the guy into the big game my friend Andrew was using and Andrew paddled in the crippled boat.