No one’s PFD kit is perfect. Ask any kayak guide what she keeps in and on her life jacket, and you’ll quickly learn each leader’s kit is a reflection of their experience and the conditions and places where she paddles.
Still, most agree: less is more. Fill your pockets with too much stuff, and you may actually hinder your ability to perform in challenging situations. Keep it simple and store bulkier or less frequently used items within reach in your day hatch. Tweak your kit for different environments, so it’s the best possible compromise between being prepared and being comfortable.
What Should I Carry In My PFD?
1
Compass
For on-water navigation, pair a deck-mounted marine compass with a compact orienteering compass like Suunto’s M-3G. The orienteering compass’s straight edge and rotating bezel enable you to take a bearing on your map or chart, rather than simply follow a heading on the water. Plus, the attached lanyard works great for quickly measuring map or chart distance.
$80 | suunto.com
2
Watch
Knowing where you are, and how far you can go, means keeping track of time on the water. Get a reliable, waterproof watch and strap it to your PFD. ‘Nuff said.
$45 | timex.com
3 Whistle
A sound signalling device is required by the coast guard, and a pea-less whistle like the classic Fox 40 is invaluable for getting the attention of an errant paddler.
$4 | fox40world.com
4
Knife
Combining rope and dynamic waters carries a risk of entanglement. This is one of those rare items you always carry and hope you never need to use. Safety knives should be corrosion-resistant with a secure sheath. A knife is one of the most common lash tab accessories, ensuring your knife is within easy grasp—you’ll find lash tabs on most touring and whitewater PFDs. Look for a knife with a blunt tip and serrated edge, like CRKT’s Bear Claw. Keep it sharp—resist the urge to use your safety knife for slicing the salami.
$50 | crkt.com
5
Sun protection
On a bright day, light reflected from the water can increase exposure to damaging UVA and UVB rays by about 10%. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and long sleeve UPF-rated clothing, and protect exposed skin with broad-spectrum waterproof sun block and lip balm.
$3–$7 | beyondcoastal.com
6 Pigtail tow
In addition to a waist-worn tow belt, many kayak guides also wear a PFD-integrated tether—known as a pigtail—for rapid extractions. Pair North Water’s PFD Sea Link with their quick-release chest belt ($55) for a tow system you can deploy, or escape, with one hand. The Sea Link’s shock absorber eases stresses on the rescuer. A slim, floating pouch contains 15 feet of additional line, so you can go from contact tow to short tow with the release of a buckle.
$105 | northwater.com
BUY ON AMAZON
7 Repair tape
Opinions vary on the perfect, do-it-all tape for hasty, on-water repairs. Good ol’ duct tape is a sound option for many jobs, but for bombproof patches on composite and plastic boats, carry a square of waterproof gutter tape.
$12 | homedepot.com
8 Notebook & pencil
Keep track of weather observations, note wildlife sightings or simply jot down your thoughts. Rite in the Rain makes waterproof notepads and journals in a variety of compact styles.
$4–$7 | riteintherain.com
9 First aid kit
A petite, waterproof kit with basic wound care is all you need in your PFD. Add water treatment tabs, electrolytes and energy chews to prevent dehydration and bonking. Ginger candies are a natural, non-drowsy way to ward off seasickness. Finally, keep a length of waterproof, self-adhering athletic wrap in your kit to support joint injuries. Try the Ultralight Watertight .5 from Adventure Medical Kits.
$9 | adventuremedicalkits.com
10 VHF Radio
Consider a marine VHF radio like Cobra’s HH350—and the training to use it correctly—if you are travelling offshore, for extended periods in remote locations, or in areas with heavy boat traffic.
$130 | cobra.com
11 Light
For paddling after dark or in heavy fog, you’ll need a light to make it easier for others to see you. A compact, waterproof strobe-like Princeton Tec’s Aqua Strobe attaches to your PFD shoulder strap or lash tab and doubles as a personal locator light in the event of an emergency.
$30 | princetontec.com
Clipping a whistle – or anything – to a major zipper pull can be dangerous as re-entry process can cause whistle to snag and prevent forward movement as you attempt to swim/crawl/pull yourself up onto your boat. Older PFDs with single zipper running up front have been pulled completely off when whistle was caught and then wearer fell back into water (PFD being unzipped as they fell). Better to tether on a lanyard and stick in a chest/side pocket for quick access and reach while attached. Be Safe, Have Fun!
11 Pocket Items To Complete Your PFD Kit is one of the most ridiculous articles I’ve read and frankly I’m surprised Paddling Magazine would post something like this. Nobody, and I mean nobody packs all that stuff in their PFD. Leave the typewriter at home and get out on the water for a change.
I’m surprised you did not include an “epirb” or emergency radio location device as part of your kit.
This is an excellent list!
One question i have regards the knife — more specifically, how you leash/tether it to the PFD in case it is dropped in use or falls out of its sheath. In the image given, it seems that there is a very short leash that tethers the knife to a PFD pocket zip. How does that work? Or is there more of the leash bundled up _inside_ the PFD pocket?