What should you carry when kayaking alone?
When you kayak alone, wear a properly fitted, Coast Guard approved life jacket every time, and carry a whistle, a bilge pump, a paddle float or spare paddle, a dry bag with a warm layer, water and snacks, and a phone in a waterproof case attached to you. Dress for the water temperature, not the air. Leave a float plan with someone reliable on shore saying where you'll launch, your route and when you'll be back.
What to carry
01A life jacket you actually wear
Wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket that fits and suits paddling, with room to move your arms. The Coast Guard's guidance is that the best life jacket is the one you'll wear. A jacket strapped behind the seat doesn't help after a capsize.
02Self-rescue gear
A bilge pump or sponge and a paddle float let you re-enter and empty your boat on your own. Practice a solo re-entry in calm, warm water before you need it. A spare paddle or a paddle leash keeps you from losing your only way home.
03A whistle and a light
Clip a whistle to your life jacket; it's how you signal boats and people on shore. Carry a light if there's any chance you'll be out near dusk, as small boats are hard to see. Some areas require a light after sunset.
04A dry bag with warmth and food
A dry bag holds a warm layer, a hat, snacks and water. The National Weather Service says to dress for the water temperature, not the air, and warns that cold shock can be as dangerous in 50 to 60°F water as in near-freezing water. In cold water that means a wetsuit or drysuit. Change into dry clothes as soon as you land if you've been soaked.
05A phone on your body, in a waterproof case
Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch clipped to your life jacket, not stowed in a hatch. After a capsize, your boat may drift away. Some paddlers also carry a handheld VHF radio for talking to boats and marinas.
06A float plan and a live link
Leave a float plan with a reliable person. Start a Holler live link so your Guardians can follow from shore, and set a return time so a missed check-in triggers an overdue alert. See how to share your location while kayaking.
Related questions
Do I need to wear my life jacket on calm water?
Yes. Many paddling accidents happen in calm conditions when someone falls in unexpectedly. The life jacket keeps you afloat if you're cold, tired or hurt. Wear it zipped and buckled.
What goes in a float plan?
Your launch and landing points, route, boat description and color, what you're wearing, when you'll be back and when your contact should call for help. The Coast Guard recommends including a photo of your boat. Leave it with someone who will act on it.
What changes for a longer trip?
For an hour on a small, warm pond close to shore, a life jacket, whistle, phone pouch and water are the core. For open water, cold water or a half-day trip, add a pump, paddle float, spare paddle, immersion clothing, a light and a VHF radio or beacon. Leave a float plan every time; our guide on how to leave a trip plan covers it.
Can I rely on my phone on the water?
Only if it's protected and has signal. Keep it waterproofed and on your body. On large lakes, coastal waters or remote rivers, signal can be weak, so a satellite messenger or VHF radio may be the better call for help.
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Sources, checked September 2026: National Weather Service: Cold water safety, U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety: Life jacket wear, U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety: Float plan.
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