First Aid Kayak Kit: What Should You Have In It?

[rchiuz]

I am still shopping around for a kayak but wanted to know what should you have in your 1st aid kit as a kayaker?

Just want to have everything ready when I finally have a kayak ^-^

[VolFan]

Matches/fire starter, dryer sheet, space blanket, band aids, roll of tape, large gauze pad, antihistamine, pain reliever, diarrhea aid, salt tablets/powdered sports drink, duct tape.

PS - everything mentioned will fit in the middle of the roll of duct tape. Dry bag or quart ziplock and you're gtg.

[tbone1993]

a good knife is the #1 thing to always have. try a leatherman, best multitool ever built

[Darren.]

Good question. I guess I don't have a "kit" in particular, but I do carry a knife. Two, in fact. Within reach, for whatever may come.

 

Never needed to use them, thankfully. S'pose I could use and actual kit....

[VolFan]

100% accurate - a knife needs to be within arm's reach, easy access at all times in the kayak. Dive knives on your pfd work great. Don't put the knife in a kit. Leatherman's are great, but are probably not the best option for a snagged anchor line in current.

[flyfisher]

i don't even carry a first aid kit, maybe i should but i don't.  I do carry a set of pliers and that's about it.  

 

On the river i usually carry at least some tape in case something happens and pretty much everything can be covered and held by tape and if i needed gauze i would just tear a sleeve off my shirt.  I rarely fish flatwater anywhere that i am more than a mile or so from the launch and if cannot make that paddle then the most important thing for me is my cell phone to cal land get a ride and some help.

[Nelson Wormefeller]

For first aid I make sure I have a roll of medical tape and large pads in case i need to cover a large area (ie. cover a large crank bait embedded in my body somewhere, or a large cut).

Also a roll of gorilla duct tape for random emergency attachments. And always knife on belt for emergency cutting.

[Hi Salenity]

Toilite paper, for life's real emergencys!

[200racing]

quick clot.

[buzzed bait]

Don't have a kit really, but the first aid is shown here:

Gerber river knife, attached to PFD easily accessible

550 paracord around the handle

have the world's loudest whistle inside the PFD

And then the PFD

 

All of those i would really consider my SHTF gear

 

[kikstand454]

Matches/fire starter, dryer sheet, space blanket, band aids, roll of tape, large gauze pad, antihistamine, pain reliever, diarrhea aid, salt tablets/powdered sports drink, duct tape.

PS - everything mentioned will fit in the middle of the roll of duct tape. Dry bag or quart ziplock and you're gtg.

This is almost my exact kit + toilet paper, 4" bolt cutters( for xstrong hooks), 7x7 tarp, kleen canteen steel water bottle, couple of hiking energy bars .

This is all in a dry bag in my front hatch. It never leaves. If my trip is sketchy from the get go- going late in the evening, questionable water, expecting bad weather- then I put it in the back behind my crate for even easier access.

I fish backwater marsh alot and sometimes its completely possible to get lost or have the tide strand you. It hasn't happened to me yet, but I want to be prepared if I have to spend the night in the kayak/ marsh/ woods.

Edit: number 1 thing always, ALWAYS leave a float plan/ tell someone where you are launching from. If you change your mind on the way. ... text someone and tell them.

[rchiuz]

Question, I am new so I don't know the different purposes. What would be the uses for the knife? Cut an anchor off or rope tangle?

[J Francho]

There's a 1001 uses for a blade. I can't think of any off the top of my head, but when I forget it I sure can.

[buzzed bait]

Question, I am new so I don't know the different purposes. What would be the uses for the knife? Cut an anchor off or rope tangle?

 

seriously could not even begin to list them all.... but should you get tangled with anything in the yak, that knife will help get you freed is and VERY accessible.  Can be used to cut wood for fire (bang a rock on the back side and you can chop a small tree).  Can be used to dress all sorts of wounds (although my knife does not have a point so it is limited in this area, i always have a pocket knife as well).  Can be used for all sorts of ways to eat or fix some food.  can aid in repairs to the kayak.  i could really go on and on and on.... you'll think of them as you find yourself in a situation where you need a knife!!!

oh should you be in the river, dragging a chain or anchor and it get stuck, turn sideways and you start taking in water..... CUT THE LINE quickly with the knife....  did this one time in a canoe, sketchy situation and the quick access to the knife was pretty key in us not sinking this canoe!

you can find all the justification in the world for the minimal investment you will make in a decent knife

[kikstand454]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004ZAIXSC?pc_redir=1410063347&robot_redir=1^^^ x one million.

The best for this application, and one of the best in the world. .....

[Nelson Wormefeller]

Nice, I just got mine in the mail today. I ordered it in orange. It's my backup, backup, backup knife.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Duct tape a lighter and 5 cans of sardines in mustard and a high quality multi tool paracord also a bowie knife (Ontario spec plus)

[Christian M]

A quality dry bag, CB radio, Air horn, flare gun, safety whistle, magnesium fire starter, tinder, good aluminum pliers, multitool, small bolt cutters (tin snips)...a good SHARP knife (I carry a Gerber pocket knife on my vest & a machete that has a razor sharp blade on one side & a saw on the other)...toilet paper, insect repellant, mosquito net, disinfectant, antiseptic, antibiotic, pain reliever, bandages, medical tape, gauze, suture kit, water purifier tabs, canteen, at least 30' of paracord, rain gear, tarp, about 2' of small tubing...I carry all this and it fits in a drawstring backpack (except the machete) remember, its better to have it & not need it.

[flipin4bass]

This is the first aid kit I purchases at Academy Sports. I carry it inside a molly pouch that's attached to my crate. I added a quick clot sponge pack to it, but other than that it has everything you should need. I also carry a knife on my PFD.

[flipin4bass]

Another view of first aid kit attached to crate.