what do u guys carry for safety equipment?

just thought id ask.i need to buy some stuff to carry with me.i wanna be prepared .

thanks
gto

PFD first and foremost.

GPS

Compass

VHF radio.

I don't have flares, but will purchase them this year.

MolBasser

there is an ad in the SJ Merc.  One of the sporting goods stores has HK flare guns for $50.  If I had one of those, I would be looking to get lost or stranded...

Eric - if you don't have one already, a wet suit is pretty a pretty good idea.

VHF
2 flares
whistle
2 glow sticks
dive knife
mini leatherman multitool
mirror
compass

All secured to my PFD  

The above list all together looks good.  I also carry a strobe light on my life jacket.  I also have an air horn on board, but not necessarily on my life jacket.

-Allen

Good idea on the air horn and the strobe - will be getting those as well.  

I can use the airhorn on Bill...since he tends to bump into my yak everytime he paddles next to me ....if I can just hold it close enough to his ear - I'm sure I can get his attention  

PFD
VHF
GPS
compass
2 flares
whistle
neddle nose pliers
dive knife
Paddler's first -aid kit

i used to have an flag on a 6 foot tall poll, but i lost it in a no so successful beach launch at muir. d'oh

pierre

check out the photo gallery (Joel's pics) on the main page - for my PFD photo.

I also have a small roll of duct tape in a small zip lock bag inside one of my PFD's pocket.
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=3022499&parent_category_rn=10008332&vcat=REI_SEARCH

My first aid kit (placed inside a large zip lock bag) is attached underneath the hatch of my prowler with duct tape.

A Flag - like what Pierre had mentioned would be good to have as well  

As far as GPS - that will be my next purchase = what  do you guys recommend?

What kind of flag would you fly?  Other than "diver down" are there other flags with "meaning".

-Allen

I guess any bright colored flag just to make sure you are visible to boaters - especially when the swells are really high.

At Linda Mar last year - the BIG swells picked up in the afternoon and I remember bobbing up and down BIG TIME - one second, I see a boat coming my way...another second later - the boat was out of my view.....and I'm pretty sure the boater could not see me as well. I think having a flag flying way above my head would serve as a visual aid.

Launching out of Moss was the same - boats were just flying out of the harbor and I remember seeing some boats just "dissappear" because of the swells  

I saw some guys in La Jolla using flags as well - (not the Diver flags)

Ah ... then perhaps we can have a bright NCKA flag?  How cool would that be?  


-Allen

I'm sure Bill is already working on that  

Other kayakers
Wetsuit
GPS
Compas
Whistle
Dive knife
PFD
Leashed paddle
Spare paddle in the hull

VHF someday, but I'd have to be staring death in the face to call in a $20k helicopter rescue...

Besides all that other safety gear, it's always a good idea to take plenty of food and water. Some power bars stuffed in your jacket and a couple filled water bottles will keep you good to go should you find yourself swept to sea or further than your launch and you have to wait for the tide to turn to get back.
Also a night light for thoses cases of getting "stuck" late at night.

I will check out the flags and see what I can find