Gear Store: Safety

The gear that matters most when things go wrong. Every surfski paddler venturing beyond the shore should carry some combination of a PLB, VHF radio, whistle, and first aid kit — and know how to use them.

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A handheld VHF radio lets you communicate with the coast guard and other vessels on Channel 16. Floating, submersible models are essential for surfski paddlers.

VHF — Floating

Icom IC-M37 VHF Radio

Floats, flashes when in water, and delivers 6 watts of output with IPX7 submersion protection. Dual/Tri-Watch monitors Channel 16 simultaneously with your working channel.

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VHF — 6W Floating

Standard Horizon HX210

6 watts, floating design, Class D DSC, and JIS7 submersion rating. A large backlit keypad works with wet hands. Trusted by coastal paddlers worldwide.

⭐ Editor’s Pick

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VHF — Compact

Icom IC-M25 EVO VHF Radio

Updated EVO model adds USB-C charging and ~14 hours of battery life in Eco Mode (30% improvement over the original). Still the same slim, floating, Float’n Flash™ design that fits a PFD pocket. One of the most popular paddler VHFs.

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A pealess whistle is your cheapest, lightest, most reliable safety signal device — and the one you’ll actually have on you every paddle. SOLAS-rated models are mandatory equipment in many organized events.

Whistle — 120 dB

Fox 40 Sonik Blast CMG

At 120 dB, one of the loudest pealess whistles available. Self-clears when submerged, never freezes in saltwater. Heard clearly over breaking surf and wind noise.

⭐ Editor’s Pick

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Whistle — SOLAS

Fox 40 Classic Safety Whistle

The original Fox 40 pealess whistle. SOLAS-recognized, used by coast guards worldwide. Three-chamber design produces 115 dB regardless of blow strength.

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Whistle — Cushioned

Fox 40 Classic CMG Whistle

Adds a cushioned mouthpiece for comfort during extended PFD wear. Fully pealess and self-clearing in saltwater. Same 115 dB three-chamber performance.

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A signal mirror can be seen 10+ miles away by aircraft and vessels on a sunny day. Glass mirrors outperform plastic in reflectivity — carry one in your PFD emergency kit.

Mirror — Floating Glass

UST StarFlash Floating Signal Mirror

Float-equipped retroreflective signal mirror — won’t sink in a capsize. Visible up to 10 miles in direct sunlight. Sighting hole for precise targeting, with a lanyard for PFD attachment. Made by UST, a leading survival equipment brand.

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Mirror — Saltwater Safe

Best Glide Stainless Steel Mirror

Stainless steel construction won’t shatter or corrode in saltwater. Compact enough for a PFD pocket. Superior to glass for long-term ocean kit storage.

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Mirror — Budget

Coghlan’s Survival Signal Mirror

Laminated glass with Sight-Grid retroreflective targeting for accurate aiming without practice. Small, affordable, and significantly better than plastic alternatives.

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406 MHz PLBs alert global search and rescue with GPS coordinates — no subscription required. Register with NOAA before your first paddle. The single most important safety device for solo or offshore surfski paddling.

PLB — 406 MHz

ACR ResQLink 400 PLB

The gold standard for ocean paddlers. GPS-pinpointed 406 MHz COSPAS-SARSAT signal reaches global rescue services. Buoyant, waterproof, NOAA-registered. No subscription needed.

⭐ Editor’s Pick

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PLB — GPS Display

ACR ResQLink View GPS PLB

406 MHz registered PLB with built-in GPS and an LCD screen that confirms coordinates and signal status. Buoyant construction, USCG-approved, and 5-year battery life. ACR is the leading US PLB manufacturer — favored by offshore paddlers and coastal sailors alike.

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PLB — AIS + 406 MHz

ACR ResQLink AIS PLB-450

Adds AIS capability to the proven ResQLink formula — broadcasts on VHF so nearby vessels detect your distress within ~5 miles, even before SAR arrives. Also transmits 406 MHz COSPAS-SARSAT with Return Link Service confirmation.

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EPIRBs broadcast distress signals simultaneously via satellite and AIS to nearby vessels. Modern models add return-link service so you receive confirmation your signal was received.

EPIRB — Compact

Ocean Signal rescueME EPIRB1

The smallest EPIRB available with retractable antenna and quick-release bracket. Transmits on both 406 MHz satellite and 121.5 MHz homing frequencies. Practical for surfski and sea kayak.

⭐ Editor’s Pick

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EPIRB — AIS + RLS

Ocean Signal rescueME EPIRB3

Next-gen EPIRB with AIS alerting, Return Link Service confirmation, and mobile app integration. Know your distress signal was received — critical for solo ocean paddles.

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EPIRB — AIS + GPS

ACR GLOBALFIX V5 AIS EPIRB

Broadcasts position locally via AIS and globally via COSPAS-SARSAT. Return Link Service provides distress acknowledgment. Category 2 manual bracket for paddler use.

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A paddling tow line lets you assist a distressed partner or manage a group crossing. Quick-release buckles are non-negotiable — a tow in rough conditions can become a hazard instantly.

Tow Line — Waist Worn

NRS Compact Rescue Throw Rope

Compact waist-worn throw bag with 50 feet of floating polypropylene rope and quick-release buckle. Packs small enough to wear on a PFD or store in a cockpit. NRS’s gold-standard rescue line for paddlers.

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Tow Line — Short

NRS Kayak Tow Tether

Bungee cord construction absorbs jerking loads between boats. Good for raft-up and short-distance assists. Protects both paddlers from sudden snatch forces in swell.

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Tow Line — 18ft

Botepon Floating Kayak Tow Rope

18-foot floating polypropylene kayak tow rope with snap hook connectors on both ends. Bright orange for visibility, buoyant construction prevents entanglement underway. Stores in a compact bag that clips to your PFD.

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A waterproof marine first aid kit lives in your surfski hatch. Choose one with trauma tools and an illustrated emergency guide — you may need to use it in the field without access to instructions.

First Aid — Marine Kit

Adventure Medical Marine 1500

Purpose-built for offshore conditions in a waterproof submersible case. USCG-compliant supplies with trauma tools, medications, and an illustrated emergency guide.

⭐ Editor’s Pick

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First Aid — 100 Piece

Breakwater Supply Waterproof Kit

100 emergency supplies in a 2-liter waterproof dry bag with reflective first aid symbol. Includes CPR mask, paracord, light sticks. Explicitly labeled for kayaking.

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First Aid — Comprehensive

Surviveware Waterproof Kit

IPX7-rated (submersible to 1 meter), 4.7 stars from 3,000+ reviews. MOLLE-compatible exterior, fully labeled internal compartments. An excellent surfski hatch item.

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Dawn launches, dusk finishes, and pre-dawn race starts are routine for competitive surfski paddlers. A compact waterproof headlamp or personal strobe makes you visible to boat traffic and helps you manage gear in the dark. Mount a strobe to your PFD for automatic boat-traffic visibility during low-light sessions.

Headlamp — Ultra Compact

Black Diamond Spot 400-R Rechargeable Headlamp

400-lumen rechargeable headlamp with IPX8 waterproofing — fully submersible to 1 meter. USB-C charging, red night vision mode, and a lockout function to prevent accidental activation in your PFD pocket. Industry-standard for paddlers.

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Strobe — USCG/SOLAS Approved

ACR C-Strobe H2O

Water-activated LED safety strobe — clips to your PFD and activates automatically when submerged. USCG and SOLAS approved. 45-lumen white LED visible at distance. Strobe, steady, and SOS modes.

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Torch — IP68 Rechargeable

WINDFIRE Waterproof Dive Torch

IP68 submersible rechargeable torch rated to 60 meters. Super-bright dive light for night launches, checking under the ski, or signaling. Compact 5-inch body fits in a PFD pocket.

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USCG regulations require vessels to carry approved visual distress signals when operating on coastal waters, the Great Lakes, and other open bodies of water. For paddlers, this means both day and night signals. Electronic/LED flares are now USCG-approved replacements for pyrotechnic flares, ship anywhere without hazmat restrictions, and are reusable — a practical upgrade for kayakers and surfski paddlers. Note: traditional pyrotechnic flares are subject to state shipping restrictions on Amazon; the electronic options below ship everywhere.

Electronic Flare — USCG Approved

Sirius Signal C-1004 SOS Distress Signal

USCG-approved legal replacement for pyrotechnic flares. Emits white and infrared LED light visible to the naked eye and to aircraft night-vision equipment. Includes an orange distress flag for daytime use and a whistle. Waterproof, reusable, and ships anywhere with no hazmat restrictions.

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Electronic Flare — ACR Brand

ACR ResQFlare Electronic E-Flare

USCG-approved electronic distress flare from ACR, one of the most trusted names in marine safety. Bright LED output meets both daytime and nighttime signal requirements. Includes an orange distress flag. Waterproof, reusable, and a direct drop-in replacement for the pyrotechnic flare kits required on most vessels.

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Distress Flag — Daytime Signal

SeaSense SOS Distress Flag

Bright orange USCG-approved visual distress flag for daytime use. A waved orange flag is a recognized international distress signal and requires zero batteries or maintenance. Lightweight and compact — the simplest, most reliable backup signal for any paddler. Stow one in your PFD pocket or hatch.

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Reflective tape applied to your hull, PFD, and paddle makes you visible to powerboat traffic in low-light conditions — dawn launches, dusk finishes, and foggy mornings. SOLAS-grade tape (the same standard used on commercial life jackets and lifeboats) is retroreflective, meaning it bounces light directly back toward its source. A few strips on your boat can be seen from hundreds of meters by a vessel’s spotlight.

Reflective Tape — SOLAS Marine

SOLAS Grade Marine Reflective Tape (2″×30ft)

SOLAS-certified retroreflective tape rated to the same standard used on commercial lifeboats and life jackets. Waterproof adhesive holds on hull surfaces, hatches, and rudder housings. Silver/white glass-bead honeycomb technology — highly visible to vessel spotlights.

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Reflective Tape — 3M Scotchlite Gear

Salzmann Reflective Tape (3M Scotchlite)

Made with genuine 3M Scotchlite material — the industry standard in retroreflective fabric. Designed for gear application on PFDs, paddles, helmets, and dry bags. Flexible and durable adhesive holds on curved surfaces and neoprene. Applies in seconds, no sewing required.

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Reflective Tape — SOLAS Value Roll

Qomovo SOLAS Marine Reflective Tape (2″×75ft)

75-foot SOLAS-grade roll — enough to mark the full hull, both paddles, PFD, and have tape left over for teammates’ boats. Same retroreflective silver marine tape as above, in a bulk roll that works well for clubs or anyone outfitting multiple boats for a dawn race.

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