Do I legally have to wear a life jacket?

Federal rules require a wearable PFD aboard for every person on a paddlecraft, and many states additionally require it to be worn, commonly for children, and often for everyone during a cold-weather season. Rules vary by state and water body, so check your state boating agency. Wearing it is the safer practice regardless of what the minimum requires.

How cold is too cold to paddle in regular clothes?

A widely used guideline is to add air temperature and water temperature: under about 120°F combined, dress for immersion in a wetsuit or drysuit. Cold-water shock can cause an involuntary gasp and rapid loss of hand function within minutes, which is what turns a routine capsize into an emergency. Water temperature matters more than air temperature.

What should I do first if I capsize?

Stay with your boat unless it is unsafe to do so. It floats, it is far easier to spot than a swimmer, and it gives you something to hold. Control your breathing through the initial cold-water gasp, then get back in or swim the boat to shore. Practising a re-entry in controlled conditions before you need it is the single most useful skill to have.

Checklist

Day Paddle Essentials: Flatwater

A lake, bay, or slow river day in a kayak, canoe, or on a SUP. Pack for the water temperature, not the air temperature. The common rule of thumb is that if air plus water is under 120°F, dress for immersion rather than for the forecast.

Everything that must not get wet goes in a dry bag, and anything you would hate to lose gets tethered.

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Common questions

Do I legally have to wear a life jacket?: Federal rules require a wearable PFD aboard for every person on a paddlecraft, and many states additionally require it to be worn, commonly for children, and often for everyone during a cold-weather season. Rules vary by state and water body, so check your state boating agency. Wearing it is the safer practice regardless of what the minimum requires.
How cold is too cold to paddle in regular clothes?: A widely used guideline is to add air temperature and water temperature: under about 120°F combined, dress for immersion in a wetsuit or drysuit. Cold-water shock can cause an involuntary gasp and rapid loss of hand function within minutes, which is what turns a routine capsize into an emergency. Water temperature matters more than air temperature.
What should I do first if I capsize?: Stay with your boat unless it is unsafe to do so. It floats, it is far easier to spot than a swimmer, and it gives you something to hold. Control your breathing through the initial cold-water gasp, then get back in or swim the boat to shore. Practising a re-entry in controlled conditions before you need it is the single most useful skill to have.