Setting out on the water in a Canoe/Kayak/SUP can be a magical experience. Something about the water soothes your soul and opens up new areas of nature you may not have seen otherwise. You can get to spots in a park that you couldn’t otherwise. Get away from the bustle of people and see wildlife in a new way. The last thing you want to do in such a serene environment is to have an emergency and be unprepared. In this article, I will walk you through the various items I have in my PFD.  Here is my paddling version of an Everyday Carry (EDC). 

Personal Floatation Device

I use a MEC Fulcrum Guide PFD that is designed for use paddling. It has a lot of freedom in the shoulders so you can get a good stroke in without the material getting in the way. It also has lots of pockets which is key for me. I particularly like the pocket that holds my walkie-talkie. Easy to get in and out and I can operate the device while in my pocket.  Speaking of pockets, this is what I carry in mine. 

In my PFD pockets: 

Whistle Fox40 is the gold standard for whistles. I use the neck lanyard and tie it to my PFD. This ensures I have quick access to it and that it doesn’t drop in the water! Make sure you take note of how to signal an SOS. Three long blasts followed by three short blasts followed by three long blasts. Pause and repeat. It’s also important not to let kids just play with whistles on the water. Every time I hear a blast I look for who could need help. Great for them to know how to use it but it isn’t a toy!

My iPhone is tethered to my life jacket using an Armor-X phone case that has a neck lanyard built in which I tie to one strap. It has multiple mount options and I liked the durability. While not waterproof,  my phone is. I am more concerned about losing it to the depths than water damage. If you choose to use a waterproof case, make sure you test it in water before trusting your phone to it. Note photos can come out cloudy when using a case like this. 

Mora Eldris Pocket Knife. Mora makes amazing outdoor knives. This one is no exception. It holds an edge well, is short and stubby (doesn’t take up too much space) and has a flint and steel attached to its lanyard. I tie off this knife using the neck-length lanyard to my lifejacket to ensure it’s always on my person on the water.

First Aid Kit the last thing you want to do is paddle back to shore to deal with a minor cut. This waterproof kit has all the stuff to deal with minor mishaps on the water like bandaids and cleaning wipes. I bought one and restock it as necessary because it has a handy watertight bag.

Not needed but helpful!

Motorola T600 Talkabout Waterproof Two-Way Radio. With the boys liking to explore the water in their directions, this allows me to keep in close connection with them. Not only is this great for relaying information like I caught a fish, but it also is waterproof and the flashlight will flash in an emergency strobe if it senses the unit got wet. It has countless private channels so you can keep your conversations relatively private. 

InReach Mini 2 Satellite Communicator. Certainly not for everyone but this is an important added bit of security. If you travel in spots without cellular service, ie the backcountry of Algonquin park, you should have an emergency satellite communicator. This allows me to send text messages to loved ones to let them know we are okay. But it also gives you the ability to send your location and request help from Search and Rescue should the need arise. In addition to the cost, there is a monthly fee, and you can pick out the plan that works for you. I carry this everywhere since even in the most urban of environments, water can play havoc on cellular signals

Summary