Gear To Bring Portaging: Canoe Safety Kit

What To Look For:

Most Provinces and States require that every boat – including canoes – to have a boat safety kit of some kind. You may want to check with the park you’re visiting to make sure you comply to the local laws. Usually, a canoe safety kit requires a bailer, a whistle (pealess), a flashlight (waterproof) and a heaving line with a float. Usually you can get everything in a small self contained/water tight container that doubles as the bailer for about $10.

Why You Need It:

Aside from the fact that it makes good sense, if you don’t have one and you meet up with a ranger, you’ll get a fine.

How You Can Live Without It:

You shouldn’t, but there are other alternatives to buying a kit, as long as you have all the required equipment. The best part about having a kit is that you will always know where all those things are when you need them.

On The Cheap:

Once again, the outfitters have you covered. Since the laws were enacted, the safety kits are usually part of the cost for renting a canoe.

What Will Make Them All Jealous:

They have some really fancy safety equipment out there. Instead of a the basics, you can get a pump to make bailing much easier and efficient, waterproof flashlights with bright pulsating LCD bulbs for signalling, a throw bag to send rescue lines with ease, and lightweight carrying bags for easy storage. Much like everything else, it becomes a preference issue as to how fancy you want your equipment to be, versus the added weight and space.