Consider having the following on board to help keep your paddling safer. Being unprepared can place yourself or your paddling buddies at risk.

It's helpful to have a PFD w/ a large pocket for the most critical items (cell phone, small polypro hat and gel) and a rear deck bag for additional items listed below. Wesley Echols and I have been paddling for years together and it is reassuring to know that he always comes well prepared.

1. Energy drink w/electrolytes 25 oz./hr of expected paddle duration
--keep extra gels available to avoid the "bonk"

2. Calf to boat leash or paddle leash
--your preference

3. PFD w/ large pocket(s)

4. Small polypro hat
--in a ziplock bag

5. Gloves and pogies
--loss of use of hands often comes long before hypothermia

6. NRS mesh rear deck bag (to store all these items)
--strapped under rear deck bungies

7. Signaling Device
--handheld orange smoke flares sealed in double ziplock bags for a day signal and pencil flares and multi-use deck light for evening with strobe and "running lights" settings

8. Cell phone in double waterproof bag or case.

9. Sun protection
--hat, sunblock, etc.

10. 1" square of thin flat rubber to wedge the back end of your rudder in a fixed position if a rudder cable fails
--this will help provide at least minimal directional control

11. Dress for or have available in your deck bag clothing for the possibility of extended immersion

12. VHF Radio
--know how to use it and be able to report your exact position

13. Reflective tape affixed to several parts of the deck
--your hull can be spotted from a great distance by a flashlight or searchlight

14. Chart/compass/GPS
--to find your way home. I've been out in the fog without these and ended up far from where I expected to be--luckily with just my pride wounded.

15. Float Plan
--leave your expected paddle route and an est. time of return w/ a person who will initiate a search if necessary.