I suppose there is no such thing as being over prepared but what do you consider to be the basic amount of saftey/necessary gear to take on a paddle with just you and your better half/friend on an enclosed waterway. An enclosed waterway which has tide/wind/marshes open areas etc etc.
Can you have too much.

I carry paddle floats on both kayaks bailing gear a tow rope and a VHF radio which should contact the rescue services in all the areas that I normally paddle we always wear a pdf and I have a mobile phone with me.

Is this enough??

Bill

We probably go overprepared even in "protected" waters but things my better half and I carry in addition: Unless the water is truley warm dressing for immersion, chart, tide/current info written down, towing rig (I've used this to keep a disabled powerboat off a lee shore as well as assist a tired partner, sound signal device (at least a whistle but if an area with heavy boat traffic a small air horn), flashlight (in case we're caught out after dark to provide the required flare up light for a human powered craft), a spare paddle, rescue sling and the filing of a float plan so someone will come looking for us if we should get in trouble. Also have flares, waterproof strobe, knife and whistle attached to my lifejacket.

I tend to paddle solo, so I have to be self reliant when it comes to safety and rescue. I always carry the same gear, whether I am out for a couple of hours, or a couple of weeks. My gear is split between my body, boat, and a dry bag in the cockpit.

On my body-Pfd,Drysuit,Gloves,Hood,Watersports boots,Knife,Vhf,Strobe,Mobile phone,Whistle,Hydration pack,Handheld flare,Handheld smoke,Signal mirror,Fire lighting kit,Survival bag,and Energy food.

On my boat-Spare paddle,Paddle float,Towline,Fixed Compass,Hand pump, and soon to be fitted an electric bilge pump.

In the dry bag-1 litre of water, single small cooking pot,solid fuel stove,food,torch,spare batteries,space blanket,windproof jacket and trousers,more flares,first aid kit.

I practice with all my gear to make sure that I can self rescue, I can roll , I have practiced paddle float rescues, I am working on a re-entry and roll, I also swim in my paddling gear on a regular basis so I know what stays waterproof and what gets wet.

Whatever gear you have practice using it, it's the practice that will save you not the gear.

I'm a bit of a minimalist but still... I dress for the water, wear a PFD, carry a paddle float, pump, and a spare paddle (mostly). If I'm on a long crossing or trip I also carry on my body three flares and an E-blanket (also good for signalling). My rolls are pretty good and don't have a problem with a re-enter and roll. I also made my kayaks to have low cockpit volume and I'm able to paddle them full of water comfortably. This set of tools are only useful if I'm able to paddle or launch flares, if I'm injured in some way (takes two hands to launch flares) a radio or phone would be priceless. My wife usually only paddles on the best of summer days on inland waters.

Here in the Caribbean sea water is warm year around, so there is no need to "dress for the water" (other than a swimsuit, a hat, sun glasses, and most times a long sleeve shirt with SPF protection).

Attached to my PFD (which I wear all the time while in the water) I always have a whistle and a strobe light. I also have one of those tow ropes that you wear strapped around your torso.

Right behind me inside a dry bag I carry a mobile phone, flares, knife, first aid kit, wind proof lighter, a two-way VHF marine radio, and 1-2 power bars. Extra water goes in a dromedary bag stored in one of the hatches. I also carry a spare paddle.

Because sit-on-top kayaks are the norm in this region, there is really no need to have a paddle float or similar re-entry assistance device.

Regards!

I think the rest of the previous posts just about covered it. I carry in addition to everything already listed, a Sea Seat (no longer avaliable) in case of seperation from my kayak which should keep most of my body out of the water. Additionally, I carry a sail which if there is any wind and I'm disabled somehow, I might be able to use sail power to make my way to shore/safety. I aslo carry a boat-to-paddler tether, employed if necessary, and in addition to the usual flares and pitol gun, I carry a large rocket flare. In terms of duplications, I carry two sets of neo-gloves, two hoods (neo balclavas), and two flashlights. I have a friend who carries a backup VHF, but that seems a little too much for even me.

Was just reading this over again as I want to lighten up a bit.
(The load, not my attitude)
But every time I pick up some piece or other, I keep thinking, what if?!

The one indispensible thing I carry is a roll of tp in a baggy.

and a spade

And that book on how to """" in the woods?