I just realized I probably looked very similar to my avatar yesterday

That happened to me once. I striped down, jumped into the water, plugged it up and spent the next hour bailing water. I was bummed missing that fishin time!

Damn Will, your have a rough couple weeks! I see a big fat fish in your future. Glad it turned out well and thanks for sharing your experience many people reading this will be able to learn from your incident including myself.:cheers1:

Glad to hear your ok and thank you for sharing you experience.

Here's my personal favorite bilge pump, I think it's $12 bucks @ Walmart!

I don't really like depending on a plastic bilge pump as it is, so there is no way I'd trust a kids toy to not fail in an emergency.

I know it's been mentioned already, but as a reminder the bilge pumps developed for use in marine settings typically pump water on both the inward and outward stroke of the handle. So yeah a squirt gun "may" do the job, spend a little more on an actual hand bilge and it'll do the job exponentially quicker.

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Ok...Let's not beat around the bush here. Using a squirt gun for a bilge pump is just outright stupid! No explanation needed.

:vroam: Tosses squirt gun away, while no one is looking.

:D g1

Studies have shown that people don't like being called "stupid" or "morons." They have to be treated like fawns, gently and compassionately but for those that aren't delicate......Don't be stupid and use a squirt gun, because unless you're in the middle of a water-fight you'll just look foolish playing around while your yak is full of water! Anyone ever hear about a kayak being swamped then emptied with a squirt gun.....if you have I'd love to know about it because I'm guessing it's never happened.

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:gnorsi: Tosses Super soaker overboard.

Based on the claims of some and the hardware they carry, there's reason to believe that the outcome of events such as the Titanic could have been influenced differently if Super Soaker had the market-share they do now?! Find that hard to believe but maybe I'm missing something.....oh yeah, they should have also packed the hull with pool noodles! I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something so I checked West Marine but was unable to find any squirt guns, Super Soakers, or foam pool toys so maybe just stick with equipment developed for marine use.

This is serious shit...
 

The life saving advice and experiences given by all of you are invaluable. THANK YOU.

I thought I was doing all the right things.

After reading this weeks near tragedies I realize I do one thing completely wrong,
and it is probably the most important: 95% of the time I fish by myself.

Several times this year I was glad to be back inside the harbor after a tough paddle in.

Gear list
 

Here a list I use- (thanks Ryan)

Gear List for Kayak fishing the 1st section is mainly safety gear and should be considered mandatory.
PDF
VHF
Compass
Sunblock
Whistle
Safety box
1st aid
Signaling device
Waterproof matches
Spare whistle and compass
Extra sunscreen
Emergency blanket (can be doubled as a large signaling device.)
Small pouch of water/spare food
Small multi tool
Marine goop
Headlight, strobe light
Protective clothing
Wetsuit
Breathable waders
Paddle jackets
Hats
Booties
Bilge pump and sponge
Bowline (10-20ft)
Water, Water, Water
Food
Fishing Gear
Fishing Rods and Reels
Assorted tackle
Tools
Pliers
Fish gripper
Measuring device
Electronics
Fishfinder
GPS
Dry bags
Seat
Paddle and leash
Kayak Cart

Your absolutely entitled to your opinion, as am I! I'm not saying it should be your one and only water removal device. It absolutely more effective than nothing at all. I think everyone understand the importance of redundancy and having multiple pieces of emergency equipment on board. I personally like it as an option, especially if I need extra long reach to the stern.

Heck REI even markets them as bilge pumps:
http://www.rei.com/product/859831/st...water-launcher

I take it your a water gun user. Yes your right, better than nothing, but using it as your primary way to remove water from your kayak in an emergency situation....is like I said..no offense but stupid. Using the watergun for small amounts of water is just fine, and I'm not arguing that it wont' pump water... If your watergun is the only device you use to quickly remove large amounts of water in your hull...you should re-evaluate it.

Even with the "correct" pump it's going to be difficult to pump out all the water quickly. With the water gun....like I said I shouldn't have to explain why it's a bad idea...

Various sizes of Redwood plugs.

Isn't a proper pump about the same Price.

plus, maybe pool noodles in the hull...

I've been using the stream machine for years. works great! gets the water out real fast!

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