There is lots of info out there on kayak safety.
With all the experienced Kayakers here I wanted to get some general ■■■■■■■■ (list) of what safety items most locals carry on their kayaks
Thanks for your help
Capt Dave
Fishing Kayaks SC
Malibu Dealer for SC
Well at the risk of being branded “most irresponsible” I’ll say that the only “safety” item I carry is a pfd. When I go out into the open ocean I actually wear it but mostly is stays on the boat. I guess my cell phone could also be included as a safety item.
To put things in perspective, I pretty much stay inshore when fishing, and I haven’t gotten into kayaking at night except for during a few camping trips years ago.
PFD and audible signal are mandatory. A tall flag is smart. Lights at night are smart. A dry bag with phone/radio, change of clothing especially in cool months.
I carry a bilge pump because I paddle a Native Ultimate, my PFD, a whistle, knife, waterproof box for phone and lights if I am out in low light conditions.
I carry the same items as Mbrady, with the addition of a first aid kit. Got it at Wally World in the automotive section. Looks like a water bottle, has band aids, matches, space blanket, etc, plus a few additional items I stuffed into it. Less than $10. Also have the dry bag with a few extra items. Most importantly, always carry water with you.
TimBuck2
Native Watercraft Ultimate 14.5
Wilderness Systems Ride 135
An audible signal is a good idea. I used to have a marine whistle but haven’t seen it for a while. First aid kit is prudent perhaps.
I guess I considered a knife, waterproof phone case, and other things mentioned as items I’d have with me anyway, safety conscious or not. Just common sense items. That said, common sense is the most important piece of gear you can have with you and one of the easiest to misplace it sometimes seems…
I always wear my lifejacket…never know when an accident may happen …All boats are required to carry a sound device…A whisle is the most common thing to carry for this…I always carry my phone, a knife and if im fishing, a good pair of pliers/ wirecutters…Also , if out at night, you are requred to have a light that can be seen 360 degrees…Something else i consider to be a safety item this time of year is plenty of drinkable water and some sunscreen…Its hard to take care of yourself if your severly dehydrated…
Things that are always with me:
Knife, PFD, Whistle, 1lb survival kit, plenty to drink, spare paddle. YakAttack VISIPole
When I’m running a charter:
same as above, plus an extended first aid kit, 2x more water than clients plus myself can drink, snacks.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
What’s always on with me.
Pfd, dry bag first aid kit, whislte, cell phone, knife, SPOT device, sunscreen, plenty of water, portable gps, snacks, extra clothes and towel in dry bag and probably more I am forgetting.
Portable GPS (waterproof), Hand held VHF (submersible), knife, magnesium fire starter, PFD, whistle, water resist cell phone in a case (http://www.casiogzone.com/brigade/), water/snacks, this year i have resolved to bring dry clothes in winter
PFD, whistle, knife, dry box with my cell phone and small first-aid kit, sunscreen, bug spray, water/gatorade, snacks, towel
–elgeebee–
WS Ride 135
Fish Whistle?
Annoy a Liberal, Work Hard and Be Happy!
REQUIRED
Lots of the other stuff you will have due to fishing, like a knife, tackle box with pliers, etc. If you keep a small first aid kit in your tackle box, you don’t need to grab something else, and you can really save a trip if you get injured.
I also always wear my PDF. It’s too easy to get run over. If you don’t like bulky jackets, get a self inflator and do your best not to fall into the water. 
REGS (closest I could find to written law on the DNR site). It's specifically for paddleboards, but applies to kayaks and canoes.
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/news/yr2011/june30/june30_paddle.html
PFD requirements for Paddleboards, Paddle Boats, Paddle Sports
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources reminds all paddle sport enthusiasts the importance of safety and of all applicable safety regulations when participating in such recreational activities on our waterways. Paddle sports include: paddleboards, paddle boats, canoes and kayaks.
Most recently the "paddleboard" has become extremely popular and an alternative to traditional paddle sports. The operator of a paddleboard, typically standing, manually propels the craft through the use of a paddle similar to that of a canoe while navigating through a particular body of water. As such, the US Coast Guard has defined the paddleboard as a "vessel" in accordance with Title 1 United States Code, Section 3, and thus is subject to the minimum safety requirements. This includes the possession of a wearable US Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III or V Personal Flotation Device (PFD) that fits the intended user and an efficient sound producing device such as a whistle or a horn. Paddleboards used in a traditional surfing, swimming and bathing areas are exempted from these requirements.
These safety requirements are applicable to paddle boats, canoes and kayaks on all public waterways in the state of South Carolina. In addition, a fl