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