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Step 1
Pack a first aid kit on even the shortest of trips. There are countless minor injuries that can and do occur while paddling as well as exploring for a short while during a break.
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Step 2
Prepare a repair kit that could patch various objects such as your boat, spray skirt, tent, jacket etc. Include scissors or a knife, needle and thread, pliers, patches, duct tape, adhesives, lighter and so on.
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Step 3
Bring some flares in the event of a real emergency where you want to be spotted easily.
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Step 4
Wear a watch to time distances and predict the tides.
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Step 5
Use a Compass and a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit to pin point your location when you are so far out to sea that no land marks can be seen. Remember that a compass does not rely on batteries or outside technologies to make it work.
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Step 6
Equip your kayak with some sort of pump to bail out the kayak. A sponge is useful for small amounts of water, while a hand pump works well for the heavier leakages caused by holes in a spray skirt and the like. For a longer excursion, a bilge pump placed behind the seat can make a capsized and fully loaded boat possible to re-enter, where tradition deep water rescues would be impossible.
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Step 7
Bring a length of cord to use as a tow line.








Comments
safety7 said
on 10/10/2007 Read www.sponsonguy.com/ordering.html
Kayak (and canoe)Safety Instruction is murderously profitable.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Make sure it's waterproof.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Keep a flashlight in your pack for use in reduced visibility or if you are stranded during dusk or into the night on the water.