Having a First aid kit or survival kit is more than a good idea when you are kayaking or canoeing, it is a necessity!

Since you never know what can happen on the water you should carry at least a basic first aid kit. If you’re planning on taking a long paddling trip you should bring more than the basic kit.

I went kayaking a couple of weeks ago down a familiar part of a river near my home.

Halfway through the kayaking trip we encountered a blocked part of the river. It was totally blocked by trees and debris. There was no way to get the kayaks through, and we had to carry our kayaks up a steep slippery embankment through poison ivy and thorn bushes.  One hour later we got our kayaks back into the water but not before getting a large scratch and cut on the back of my leg from a thorn bush.

My first aid kit was in my car, not in my kayak that day, because I thought I knew this part of the river very well. It was only supposed to be a leisurely paddle.

I had never used it before and I didn’t think of it as an important part of my kayaking equipment.

That was a mistake for me that I would not do again. From now on I will always take my first aid kit with me while kayaking. Because when you’re paddling on the water you never know what you’ll encounter.

I made my first kit myself. You can make one yourself or buy one already made.

Click on the pictures below to find out more information on these first aid kits.

Browse these online stores to find the First Aid Kits, Survival Kits & Adventure Medical Kits.

Campmor Outdoor Gear	Basspro.com	Kayaks.net	Altrec.com
WaterOutfitters.com	Backcountry.com	Boaters World	Sportsman’s Guide

Click here to find more information on First Aid Kits & Survival Kits for kayaking & Canoeing.

Labeling our kayaks and canoes is a small thing, but it can help to avoid big problems.

Kayaks and canoes that go adrift can trigger the Coast Guard and other marine patrollers to initiate a missing boater search. This costs a lot – not just monetarily but emotionally as well.

Very easy to avoid, simply labeling your kayak and/or canoe, as well as your other paddling gear such as your PFD, paddles, etc. can help prevent any turmoil should they go adrift.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxillary has introduced “Operation Paddle Smart” through their “Vessel Safety Check” program in many locations around the country, here’s what it is all about:

The Vessel Safety Check is a complimentary check of your boat conducted by members of the Auxiliary, confirming that it meets both federal and state requirements for safety.

No citations are issued and the results of the safety check are not reported to any enforcement agency, but a decal is awarded to display if the vessel has passed the examination.

An example of some of the items checked include:

• Life Jackets
• Registration and numbering
• Navigation lights
• Ventilation
• Fire extinguishers
• Distress signals (flares, horn, etc.)
• Battery cover and connections

All of these items are currently required by state and federal laws and, if missing or non-operating, can result in a citation if your vessel is inspected by the Coast Guard.

The Vessel Safety Check gives you a risk-free way to check that you meet the legal minimums and to potentially avoid a citation later.

You can contact your local USCG station to see what they offer – many have waterproof stickers with space for you to write your name, address and phone number. For more info, visit: http://www.cgaux.org/vsc/

Or do it yourself – just write out your name, address and phone number in the cockpit of your kayak or canoe with an waterproof marker. Doesn’t get much easier than that! But imagine how much time, money and man-power simply labeling your kayak or canoe can save.