text: Everyone should read this before heading out on the water — kayaksnthings.com
  Paddle Safety – Before leaving shore
  This information was copied from the Paddle Safe Paddle Smart Website link Below.
  http://www.paddlesmart.org/page3.htm
  I would find it difficult to improve on such sound advise.
  Checking your kayak
  List of safety precautions
  Each time you use your kayak you should first check each of the following items:
  Visually inspect the deck and hull to ensure that your kayak is free from cracks or other apparent signs of damage. If you are on an expedition and notice a crack, fill it with chewing gum and cover it with a strip of duct tape. Such repairs are temporary, and you should have your kayak repaired properly when you return home.
  Ensure that the rudder or skeg is operating correctly and that the blade is in good condition.
  Ensure that sand and salt are not obstructing the mechanisms.
  Make sure that theSpectra® cord is in good condition, if you have steel cables, they should be rust-free.
  Make sure that pedal and cover straps are not worn or frayed. A spare cord can always provide a temporary fix.
  Check that straps properly close compartments and that rubber seals under the covers are clean and in good repair.
  Ensure that all screws are tight and that no o-rings are missing.
  Finally, and above all, enjoy your outing!
  Make safety your priority. Safety begins with three basic notions:
  Know how to recover in all conditions.
  Master the use of your kayak.
  Have all necessary equipment aboard for safe navigation.
  Recovery is not as hard as you may think. All you have to do is learn the technique and then practice it. If you are a beginner, we recommend that you enroll in practice sessions with a professional. He or she will teach you how to get in and out of the kayak, how to recover and a host of other ingenious tricks. Practice is the secret to success. Believe us when we say that the day you are faced with an emergency, you won't regret having learned the recovery technique and how to immediately put it into practice. A few seconds can sometimes make all the difference in the world.
  Master the use of your kayak
  Really get to know your kayak! When your adjustments are perfect and you have paddled a few strokes, take the time to test the performance and limits of your kayak. Experiment with the stability and practice bracing. Fine tune your turns and get to know how your kayak reacts to different types of wind and wave conditions. We recommend that you practice new moves in calm waters.
  Don't depart without all you gear
  Check with your Maritime Authority for local regulations on the safety requirements you need when on the water. As a general rule you should have the following minimum amount of safety gear –
  – A PFD (personal floatation device)
  – A 15-meter floating line (around 50′)
  – A whistle or other sound-signalling device
  – A bailer or pump
  – A spare paddle
  A first aid kit should always be close by while sea kayaking, whether it's simply used to treat a blister or used in the case of a major emergency, your kit will undoubtably be useful. Here is our suggestion for a kayaker first aid kit.
  Since kayakers are often far from emergency services, we also recommand that you take a first and CPR course to be able to react effectively in case you do find yourselve in a incident.
  1 Compact watertight-bag
  12 Safety pins (assorted sizes)
  12 Adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
  2 Roll of sterile gauze bandage
  1 Roll of elastic bandage
  2 Sterile pressure dressings
  8 Wipes with 70% alcohol content
  1 Aluminium survival blanket
  1 Disposable CPR mask
  1 Latex gloves for medical examination
  1 Dry ice bag
  This list is provided as a suggestion only. BORÉALDESIGN & Kayaknthings cannot be held liable for any item not listed.
  Hypothermia is among the most insidious dangers of sea kayaking. This is why it is so important to be properly clothed, fed and hydrated, and to know when to rest to minimize risks.
  – Uncontrollable shivering
  – Decreased manual dexterity
  – No more shivering, false sense of warmth
  – Listlessness, then unconsciousness.
  The first thing is to get the victim out of the present situation (in the water, exposed to wind or other factors).
  Remove the victim's wet clothing and replace it with warm, dry clothing.
  Offer the victim a hot and sweet drink containing neither caffeine nor alcohol. Hydration is very important.
  If possible, have the victim move about to warm up.
  If the victim is prostrate, place him or her in a sleeping bag to retain body heat. Do not warm the victim up too quickly. Instead, proceed gradually.
  If the situation stabilizes, offer the victim foodstuffs rich in carbohydrates and sugar, such as cereal bars, dried fruit, nuts, honey, etc.
  Good food and proper rest are recommended before venturing out on the water once again.
  A victim with advanced hypothermia should be evacuated as quickly as possible to a hospital or other location for appropriate treatment.
  First check the weather forecast. Then check the temperature of the water where you plan to paddle. This information, combined with your experience, should allow you to make an appropriate choice of clothing.
  Multilayered clothing (several layers of thin garments made of synthetic materials) is very comfortable. Never wear cotton garments which can become waterlogged and take a long time to dry. Wool, however, is an interesting option because it will keep you warm, even when wet. Take special care of your feet. They are the first part of your body in contact with water. Neoprene booties or neoprene socks are sure to improve your day!
  PFD (personal floatation device) Distress flares
  Paddle Pump or bailer
  Sprayskirt Waterproof flashlight or headlamp
  Whistle or other sound-signalling device Throw bag, 15-metre floating line
  Compass or GPS Spare paddle
  VHF or weather radio system Neoprene gloves or poggies
  Wet suit Spare clothes
  Paddling jacket or windbreaker Hat, cap or tuque
  Repair kit Keep afloat (for eyeglasses)
  Matches or lighter Sunscreen
  Candles Sandals or shoes
  Tide tables Small stove and fuel
  Nautical and topographic charts Pots and pans
  Waterbottle Toilet paper
  Dry bags Ground sheet
  Synthetic undergarments Spare cords
  Board games Some good tales
  A good book Munchies
  One or more friends Your imagination
  Harmonica Fun and beautiful weather!
  Remember to leave a copy of your travel plan with a responsible individual.
  Phone: Other number:
  Land and sea marks
  Kayak colours:
  PFD colours:
  Colours of tents or ground sheets:
  Available means of communications
  VHF call channel: Cell phone: Other:
  Departure from: Date :
  Arrival at: Date :
  Alternative route or evacuation plan:
  Vehicle: Colour: Licence plate number:
  Begin emergency procedures on:
  Service to contact:
  Whether for an expedition of a day or a week, it is important that you place your gear in dry bags. Use several small bags (21 L maximum) rather than one big one, because small bags are easier to store in the compartments and balance the load throughout, increasing kayak stability.
  Balancing the load in a kayak is very important. Your kayak must not be heavier at the back than in the front. Store long, light objects such as tent poles and ground mattresses at the stern and bow of your kayak. Tie them together with pieces of rope; then you need only pull on the end of the rope to retrieve them. Place the heaviest bags as close as possible to the centre of your kayak in the compartment behind the paddler. In tandem kayaks, heavy objects can be placed in the centre compartment.
  If you are leaving for several days, here are some helpful tricks:
  – Separate your food into meals, for example, one meal per bag. When you load your kayak everything needed for your meal will be easily accessible because you will have placed it on top.
  – On expeditions, share baggage evenly among the paddlers.
  – Always try to carry the same baggage. Remember where bags are stored, making it easy for you to balance the load in your kayak every day and speed up the loading process.
  Take the time to read the following list. Make sure anyone else who uses your kayak also reads them before casting off.
  Paddle sports can be very dangerous and physically demanding.
  The user of this product should understand that participation in paddle sports may involve serious injury or death.
  Observe the following safety standards whenever using this product.
  Get paddle sports instructions specific to this type of craft.
  Always wear a nationally approved personal floatation device.
  Always wear a helmet when appropriate.
  Scout unfamiliar water; portage when appropriate.
  Consult your physician prior to beginning your paddle sports training.
  You must not use alcohol or mind-altering drugs while using this product.
  Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the use of this product.
  If additional outfitting is required, use only manufacturer-approved materials; do not impair entry or exit access.
  The user of this product recognizes, is aware of, and assumes all risks inherent in the sport of canoeing and kayaking.