Our life vest is our lifeline out on the water, and the things we carry on and within our life vest reflect the conditions we are paddling in, our past experiences and familiarity with different rescue gear.
A sea kayak is similar to a pair of running shoes while jogging over tussock on a mountain pass, or like skis while you gracefully carve down a snowy slope. It is a craft that lets you move gracefully across the planet's surface and connect with the environment around you. However, a sea kayak goes a step further than a pair of boots, its sleek design means you don't just simply paddle over the water you become part of it. Rolling, carving, surfing, simply moving at the speed of the ocean. We have all herd the saying that a kayak is an extension of the body, and while paddling on long expedition or guiding and coaching others our life vest is an integral part of this extension.
Our life vest is our lifeline out on the water, and the things we carry on and within our life vest reflect the conditions we are paddling in, our past experiences and familiarity with different rescue gear. Every kayakers life vest pockets are filled with different things, and this will often change on each outing, however most agree that if you fill your pockets with too much it may actually put you at risk, or hinder your ability to perform in challenging and rescue situations. By changing the items in and on our vest, we are compromising being comfortable and being prepared for any situation.
I aim to keep only the must-have at short notice, or frequently used items in my life vest. This of course will change in different environments and varies a lot between my sea and whitewater kayaking vests.
For sea kayaking I have been using the Kokatat Neptune; it’s a perfect sea kayaking life vest with all the bells and whistles that make it excellent for touring and guiding. It’s comfortable, durable and the pocket layout has been well thought-out making it easy to organize everything for a day trip or a week-long mission out on the water.
So what things do I carry while out on the sea?
Whistle - attached to the shoulder of the Neptune life vest is the most basic communication device I carry out on the water, invaluable for getting the attention of other paddlers.
VHF Radio – a key piece of gear to have close by, communicating with other marine vessels quickly is key if you are kayaking in a busy area or need to assistance out on the water. Often, I will carry my radio in an additional waterproof case because when kayaking water can splash into the radio mic making communication difficult. This fits into one of my main front pockets of the Neptune life vest.
Compass – when conditions change and the fog comes in you want to have a compass handy for navigation, it is also used for communicating your direction of travel to other kayakers or vessels.
Knife – most effectively used for cutting up my lunch, however if I need to cut a rope in an emergency, I want to have a sharp folding knife handy. The Neptune life vest has a tie in ‘D’ in each main pocket and the knife and the compass fit easily into one of the front pockets and are tied in to the ‘D’.
Earplugs – almost every kayaker will have heard of surfers ear, a condition where bone grows over your ear canal due to the exposure of cold water and wind in and out of the ear. This can lead to long term ear damage and the use of good earplugs can reduce your risk of this. Something I always wear if there is a change of rolling.
Snacks – You don’t want to get hangry out on the water, I keep lunch in my day hatch but during a long day on the water I keep a few bars in my life vest pockets for when I need some quick energy.
Zink and Chapstick – we all know how strong the sun can be out on the water and these two items will truly save your bacon if you’re paddling on a multiday trip with long days out on the water.
Here are a few extras to think about:
The Neptune life vest has a hydration pocket that is fitted on the back allowing you to carry a water bladder, I use this on long trips because I prefer not to have a bottle under the bungies on the deck which will be washed overboard if I roll.
Phone, if you are kayaking in an area with cell phone service this might be a crucial safety item to take. However, more often than not we don’t have service while sea kayaking, but a phone is perfect to take photos, videos or check your position on a map.
A PLB (personal locator beacon) is another piece of safety kit you may choose to carry in your life vest if you’re paddling alone.
A fishing lure, my life vest usually has a few spare fishing lures holstered as I love to fish on sea kayaking expeditions.
Finally, the towline – a key addition to our life vest, the towline is used to assist other kayakers or kayaks in rescue, guiding or teaching situations. The Neptune can be used with a standard quick release belt that threads through the life vest like the Neptune Quick Release Belt. Or you can wear a waist belt like the Slipstream waist tow system.
This second option is my preferred system. The Slipstream allows me to have both a short and long towing length, the long tow (used in following seas or rough conditions) is about 15m long which is a nice long length when you need it. I can also have a shorter tow length if I want to keep a paddler closer to me. The system is super easy to use and being an additional belt, I can leave at home if I’m going for a solo paddle and don’t need to bring a towing system. The Slipstream towline is so small and tucks easily under my life vest.
Everyone has different preferences so make sure you have got what need and most importantly know how to use it!
