All excellent tips you provided! My good people, don't let your trip get ruined by not being prepared. (funny, I have the EXACT same tools as you + spare prop & shear pin)

Additional safety tip: adding navigational lights to a non-powered vessel is hazardous. Navigational lights are for powered vessels (elec or gas). Meaning that it has ability to avoid another powered vessel. Other boaters will assume you are under power and not be cautious to you. The lights look cool on a kayak but are not wise to use. The simple white light is best. It means that you are not under power and/or anchored.

IMO. If your offshore to a distance that you would need a VHF radio, you might consider carrying some handheld emergency flares. Any vessels who spot your distress signal must respond.

Number 1 safety item should of been the pfd. Then # 2 the safety knife.

One of the best things you can get if you don’t want to tether your paddle is put a section of pool noodle on each end of your paddle so it floats if it goes into the water.

I love my NRS Chinook and pilot knife. Had them for probably 8 or 10 years now. The Chinook has floated me at 300 pounds back around 2014 and again a couple of years ago at 250 pounds. When I turtled a couple of years ago it was on Swatara Creek a few weeks after a big hurricane hit the northeast. My paddle was swept away. I always keep a collapsible single bladed paddle in my hatch. I was able to keep going, and found my kayak paddle in an eddy a ways downstream. In PA a whistle or some other noise maker is required by law in paddle craft.

I have most of those don't leave land without em

Excellent list. I would add a couple more, however: 1) a change of clothes during cold weather. It doesn't have to be extremely cold for hypothermia to set in. Had a buddy who was fishing out in the ocean about 10 years ago. He fell in the water, but got back in his kayak quickly. He was soaked, but since he didn't lose any gear, he decided to keep fishing. The air and water temp were both around 50. it was overcast with a slight breeze. He figured he would just warm up with all the physical activity. but he didn't. He started shivering uncontrollably, lost the use of his hands, and found it hard to focus. Which brings me to 2) Fish with someone else when out in the ocean or away from other people. Luckily for him (really lucky), he was fishing with a buddy who towed him back in. When they got back to shore, he was helped him into his truck and the heat was cranked up. He said it took him about an hour before he started feeling okay again. Scary stuff.

As others have said, a great video with solid information. Agree with Tombosanko, every safe trip begins with a PFD! The knife is secondary. Several more suggestions from someone who is a hard shell kayaker: I live in an area of the country, Montana, where cell service can be nonexistent and VHF is unrealistic, therefore we carry Garmin inReach sets or the equivalents. The regional Coast Guard Auxiliary has a program where they distribute high grade adhesive stickers that can be used to identify who owns the boat along with their contact information. My state does not require licenses for kayaks so there are no other identifying markings. The CG's goal being to reduce the time figuring out whether it is a lost person rescue situation or just a lost boat. Finally, the same safety requirement as for hikers, leave the information with a friend or family about where you are going and when you will be back. Happy and safe trips on the water!

So glad you went over the head lamp. Went and checked batteries and they were dead. Thank you

Subscribed just for jumping right in with the list.

Just wanted to share my paddle hack. Bought a Hobie T-Handle, and drilled a hole in half of my take-down paddle to accept the detent button...instant oar, and more functional than an emergency 1 hander.

Tools for sure, my battery disconnected while fishing in quite a large lake, had to paddle for almost an hour just get back to shore. Needless to say, I now have wrenches and soldered every connection afterwards 😂

Great video, as usual. We just purchased our first kayaks yesterday, but I have been researching them for about a year now. So far this is the first video I have seen that mentioned a first aid kit. As soon as we got home one of the first things I did was order a waterproof first aid kit for both my wife and myself. Thank you for getting good information out there!

Awesome video,(as usual). Safety ABSOLUTELY FIRST! Being seen is big. As an x boater. How many times, came across kayak at 60 mph. But couldn't see them.

GREAT video. Everyone on the water should heed your advice. Stay alive folks. Ain’t worth the risk.

Great video. First aid kit is always in my kayak

I use a little lightning detector. Really useful device.

Great accessories for safety to carry. Safety 1st.

I love the flat back on the Raku so much I may just buy one even though my Chinook is only a year old.

A spare set of dry clothes during cooler months of the year is a must IMO.

My phone battery wears down taking pictures someone's else fish. I like my angler PFD cause it has pockets and no issues to paddle or casting.

Get laughed at all the time when loading my yak. I bring spare clothes during winter, 3 small first aid kits, swiss army and leatherman, rope, paddle holder, survival kit, collapsible paddle, headlight, battery bank, etc. My friend brings even more. Im on a 10ft ultralite. Haven't even started fishing yet. Pfd all the time.

Excellent review!

Great video brother and I would argue that likewise applies to Boaters as well

Can I make a suggestion? Spray your tools with some WD40, especially those pliers. Keeps that rust off and makes them easier to use when you need them the most. Just my 2c worth

Great video but you need to get some oil on those tools or they won't work when you need them

Pricey knife !!!! Better get my beaver friend to help

Do you know the difference in the NRS Raku and the NRS Chinook? The Chinook is currently on sale for $90 but is regularly $160. Any thoughts?

No mention of self rescue techniques?

Hey, I wonder if you'd be willing to do a review video for your follower's kayaks and gear? I fish for rock-fish and sharks off the Oregon coast and would love to get your take on my set up and hear your advice?

I keep a small 6 inch Knipex bolt cutter in my pack. If I’m hooked, at least I can pass it through and cut it off to remove.

I need life saving gear for when a gator comes up on the yak 😅

fish barbless. saves your finger and the fish

Im not sure about anyone else, but Id rather die fishing then most any other way...

Don't forget your pew pew