Safety
Kayak and boating safety basics
Wear the life jacket, carry signals, file a float plan, and verify current equipment requirements with the Coast Guard.
The life jacket only works when worn
Most fatal incidents involve someone who owned a life jacket but was not wearing it. In a kayak, wear it from launch to landing.
Signals, light, and communication
Carry a whistle, a white light for low visibility, and a charged phone in a dry bag. A handheld VHF radio is a meaningful upgrade for open water.
Float plans and equipment requirements
Tell someone where you launch, your route, and your return time. Required safety equipment depends on vessel type and length — confirm current requirements with the U.S. Coast Guard rather than relying on any guide.
Cold water changes everything
For much of the year, local water is cold enough to cause immediate breathing and grip loss on immersion. Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature.