Kayak incidents seem to only occur to others. That is until something happens to you. Whether you’re planning a kayak trip for a few hours or a multi-day adventure, kayaking safety isn’t optional.
Following simple safety kayaking rules will make your experience worry-free and keep you away from trouble. Some of them could potentially save your life. It also makes your family and loved ones feel safer. In case of unforeseen circumstances, they’ll know you’ve taken the necessary measures.
To make your trip safer, we’ve gathered the top 17 safety tips for kayaking.
#1. Take a Course
If this is your first kayak trip, avoid paddling alone. We recommend taking an introductory course. Instructors can teach you important safety measures and kayaking techniques.
You’ll get to practice capsizing and essential re-entry methods. They’ll also coach you on how to best operate your boat and paddle.
You might want to ask your local club for any available courses. The American Canoe Association offers classes in several states.
If you can’t take a course, this video is helpful
#2. Wear Your Life Jacket
Life jackets can be a pain to wear, especially in summer. They’re often considered worth wearing only if you aren’t able to swim. When it comes to kayaking safety, wearing your personal floatation device, or PFD, is critical. They should be worn at all times, and by everyone.
Kayaks are likely to capsize. You and your equipment will also fall into the water. A bag handle, a fishing rope or other gear could become a hazard, making it challenging getting back to the surface. Among all kayak fatalities, 48 percent weren’t wearing a PFD.
In cold weather, they also provide an additional layer to keep you warm. For added safety and in case you need to call for help, we recommend attaching a whistle to your life jacket.
Make sure that your PFD is well-suited to your size and type of adventure you’re heading to.
For more information on how to best pick your PFD/Life jacket, read our article here.
#3. Know the Rules
Most of us wouldn’t drive a car without knowing the rules on the road. Kayak safety rules also exist on water and include knowing what to expect from other boats, and how to share the waterway. This is crucial to avoid accidents.
We’ve seen kayakers absorbed in observing birds through their binoculars, only to realize that a motorboat is about to hit them.
Be aware of what’s happening around you. Unless you have a motorized kayak, keep in mind that you’ll be one of the slowest boats on the water. Before crossing a stream, watch out for any upcoming traffic.
As a general rule, if you’re not crossing the waterway, you should be paddling along the shore. Not only is it safer to do so, but currents are also weaker here. You’ll have better control over the direction you travel in, and it should be easier on your arms.
If you’re kayaking in a popular and busy waterway, you might need to follow set ‘lines of travel’. As they can change according to the current, we recommend checking ahead of time.
Yelling isn’t the best form of communication. On the water, it can be difficult to catch a message. Getting familiarized with universal river signals might be a good idea. They’ll help you understand other boats and give out clear messages when needed.
#4. Be Seen
Keeping an eye out for other boats is a good start. Making sure they can see you back is even better.
Being seen on the water might be one of the most important kayak safety rules. When choosing a boat and a paddle, we recommend selecting bright colors. Reflective straps increase your visibility during the day and night.
You might have planned to be home before the sun sets, but realistically, many unforeseen events can delay a return to shore. For this reason, always keep a set of LED lights and a headlamp inside your boat. If the sun goes down faster than you wish, you’ll still be visible until you reach the shore.
#5. Get a VHF Radio
While kayaking, it’s probably not a good idea to rely on your cell phone for emergencies. As you leave the shore, network coverage are often very weak to non-existent.
A VHF radio can potentially save your life. In the event you encounter any issue, the radio will put you in touch with all boaters within range. To call for help, dial 16 to reach the emergency channel.
Radios also keep you posted on weather conditions and any potential warnings. The best devices are waterproof and can be used in all circumstances.
We recommend learning how to make a distress call. If needed, you can also take a VHF radio course.
#6. Plan Your Trip
Create a Float Plan
Being prepared is essential to ensure a smooth kayak adventure. We highly recommend creating a float plan and sharing it with your loved ones. Inform whoever might notice your absence first. Leave a copy inside your kayak or in your car.
A float plan should include the following information:
- Where you’re heading to.
- Who you’re going with and their contact details.
- When you’re planning to return.
- Actions to be taken in case of a late return.
Pack the Essentials
- Water, food, and snacks.
- Bring a map of the area.
- Research the waters you’ll be paddling in.
- Bring an extra set of dry clothes.
- Carry a river knife.
- Pack sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses.
- Carry a spare paddle.
- Bring a repair kit with duct tape.
Check Weather, Wind, and Current
Looking-up weather forecast, currents, wind and water conditions might be one of the most important kayak safety rules. Check for local information about tricky currents or strong afternoon winds. NOAA national weather service is considered a reliable source of weather information.
Be conservative. If a trip doesn’t feel safe, it probably isn’t. Don’t hesitate to postpone a trip if you need to. We also recommend having a backup plan, an alternative route if things don’t go your way.
#7. Don’t Drink and Paddle
Alcohol is best kept at the shore. As tempting as it might be, don’t consider beers as hydration drinks.
Alcohol impairs judgment and affects movement and coordination. This can be fatal, as you need your entire head and physical capacities at optimum levels to manage your boat safely.
On the same note, and for the same reasons, avoid drug consumption while kayaking. This applies to prescription and non-prescription drugs.
#8. Beware of Weight Shift
Move carefully inside your kayak and avoid standing up. Keep your head towards the center of your boat.
Leaning towards one side or the other will likely cause your kayak to capsize. Weight-shift situations account for about half of all canoeing deaths.
#9. Dress for Success
Besides the life jacket we’ve already mentioned, here are a few more clothing tips to make your trip safer:
- Dress in layers. You can add or remove clothes as needed.
- Use synthetic and breathable materials such as nylon, polypropylene, polyester fleece or neoprene.
- Bring a waterproof jacket or coverall.
- Prefer long sleeves for both pants and shirts. They provide added protection against bugs and the sun.
It’s also important to wear appropriate footwear. Sneakers and runners are often slippery on wet surfaces. We recommend river shoes without shoelaces.
#10. Kayaking in Cold Water
Cold waters might be more dangerous than you’d think. When immersed, our body loses heat 30 times faster. If you’re planning to paddle in cold water, planning for water immersion might be life-saving.
The low temperature decreases movement coordination, judgment and body strength. The body’s first reaction in cold conditions is to gasp for air. Heart rate and blood pressure will then increase. Cold water shock can lead to potential heart failure.
Within minutes, a body can become immobilized in cold conditions. Special equipment should be used when the water temperature drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This is also the case when the air and water temperatures combined drop below 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
In these cases, make sure to consider the following precautions:
- Always wear a wetsuit.
- Wear neoprene booties.
- If budget allows, wear a dry suit.
- Keep a set of clothes in a dry bag.
- As always, wear your PFD.
- Ensure you stay hydrated, and add a few extra calories to your meals.
#11. GPS Locator Device
Whether you’re kayaking in narrow river streams or along a shore, investing in a GPS device is often a good idea. Rivers can quickly become a labyrinth. A wrong turn could add a few kilometers to your trip.
Fog might be one of the worst of kayaker’s enemies and is a major danger of kayaking. Even close to a shore, without a sense of direction, you’ll likely paddle in the wrong direction and eventually get lost. A waterproof GPS is a safety device that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Most fish finder devices include GPS functionality. You’ll get to know what’s happening both around and underneath your boat.
To know more about fish finders, read our dedicated article here.
#12. Know Your Limits
When picking your kayaking location, consider your level of experience, skills, and abilities. It’s important to know your limits.
For beginners, the following locations are considered safer:
- Calm and shallow waters.
- Small lakes.
- High traffic locations. Other paddlers might be able to help you if needed.
- Waterways with little to no motorized traffic.
- Select a location where the wind will be blowing you home.
#13. Check Weather While Paddling
A beginner’s common mistake is to only check the weather and water conditions before a trip.
Keeping an eye on the weather forecast while at sea is equally important. If a storm is coming your way, head back to the shore. If you’re caught under lightning, lay your paddle flat inside the boat.
#14. Keep Your Group Together
If you’re kayaking in a group, ensure that everyone stays together. It’s more fun and is also safer, as everyone should stay within hearing distance from one another.
#15. Wear a Helmet
If you’re planning to kayak in rough water conditions or going white river rafting, we’d recommend wearing a helmet. It will protect you in case of hitting a rock while falling in the water.
#16. Carry a Bilge Pump
A bilge pump is a device you should take kayaking with the hope of never using it.
Manual or automatic, they’ll remove the extra water inside your kayak after a capsize or if you notice leaks. Ensure that it’s made of corrosion, water, and salt-resistant material. The hose should be long and thin enough to reach every part of your kayak.
Electronic pumps are able to achieve the task faster and without elbow grease. The best pumps will even shut off automatically.
Manual pumps will require more work but are often lighter, more compact and easier to store. They also come at a lower price point.
#17. First Aid Kit
A first aid kit in your kayak is a must and can handle small and large injuries.
Your kit’s contents and size may vary depending on your personal health. It might also be larger or smaller depending on how many people are kayaking. Generally speaking, here are the main items to include in your kit:
- Bandages, medical tape, band-aids, and gauze pads.
- Alcohol pads for wound cleaning.
- Antibiotic cream.
- Painkiller tablets.
- Anti-itching cream.
- Latex gloves.
- Tweezers, scissors, and pins.
- CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) mask. This plastic device can greatly help someone perform the life-saving CPR technique.
Whether you’re buying or making your own kit, ensure that you’re placing the content in a dry box or case.
Safely Paddling Away
Planning a kayaking adventure is exciting and should be a fun time spent on the water. Whether going solo, with friends or bringing your family along, some safety measures are important to implement.
The first couple of times, it might require more preparation and planning. After a few trips, it should become second nature.
We hope these 17 kayak safety rules will make your kayaking trip safer and worry-free.