Sea Kayakin Gear List

Sea kayaking VHF Radio

UNIDEN SEA KAYAKING
Obviously you are going to want to have it attached to your PFD, so a handheld VHF that is has a submersible. waterproof rating is a must have. Ratings are normally in the specs and classed form slash proof JIS1 to fully submersible JIS8 waterproof rating ( to improve the longevity of the VHF - along with all your gear - make sure you rinse the sea water off after you use it).

I am backing the Uni-den Range and personally have a Uniden Voyager that has been widely used in teh sea kayaking/wind surfing  community  (though these have had a few problems  with the waterproofing caps staying on - though can be treated with silicone ) - the new version cna be purchased (Feb 2012) for about $190NZD.

Cobra 

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Icom34 is used by search and resuce and some government departments

WATERPROOF VHF CASE

http://www.altrec.com/aquapac/small-vhf-classic-waterproof-case
https://www.absolutemarine.co.nz/products/index_dynamic.php/product/8470

KAYAK FLOAT PLAN

Simialr to an intentions sheet filled in when hiking  an example float plan. It is a basic set of instructions fro anyonw finding your car, or alternatinveinly left at soemones addresss. It tells them most hings they need to know. And what to do if x does not happen. At a stretch place it face donw in the drivers seat - with words plan

KAYAK CHECK LIST

KAYAK BAIL OUT / BUG OUT BAG

It is popular amoundg some kayakaers to have a small bag under the bungy cords of the kayak. This contacts all sorts of extra gear
I like to have it in heavy duty dry bag ( at a linch you cna use this as an exra floation devieinc under do it and wrap it with air inside then seal.

there are variosu lists of bail out bags found on ht eweb example a - hte idea is to have stowed on deck a small bag you can grab if you need to bailout na dhead for shore (only if its very close) or your kayak has sunk, or you cna t get back into it due to th conditions (most likely) .. however as some advice goes if its not on you .. you dont have it. So some peoepl argeu that you should aim to have a core amount of gear on your person - a valid point.

although thre is much tlak of not losing your kayak - a good strong wind blowing it out of swimming reach? mulitle capzies in a group after a big wave?

A bail out fanny pack as suggested in this blog i a great idea
keeping warm - hypothemia is a major kiiier in fact in NZ biggest sea disaers - the sinking of the Wahine - it was hypothemia that killed the most people - AFTER - they got ashore. remeber if you do get ashore it the cold that is oging to be your first issue to deal with.


START A FIRE
Compat bic lighter and solid fuel chunks (this will help ligth wet wood as it burns hot and will burn wet)

EMERGENCY BLANKET
one idea I have sued is warpping the blanket around your chest "core" bdy UNDER your first layer - this reflects heat and stops wind but sdoesnt trap your own mositure. emergency b;ankets are terrbile for trapping moisute from yur body,

SEA KAYAING FLARE

Flares come in a number fo sizes and varietys - but a split into day nad nigth time use. Smoke flares being preferable during the dayand light flares during the night. there are also some day an dnight varietys that have a smoke flrae at one end and a smoke flare at the other  - htose these dont burn as long as a dedicated smake or light flare.

Smoke hande flares are about $40NZ online but as they are dangeraosu goods they need a special transcript licens and can incur upto 40-60 fee for transporting them.

SEA KAYAKING WHISTLE & MIRROR

A whistle is a great "between" oats contact device - and a signal mirror a great way to get attention during the day. A little combo kit can be found, though the Storm Whistle is probably the must have kayak whistle