After doing an after action evaluation of my first dump - l have (as they say on Star Trek) installed "safety protocols" for getting into and out of my kayaks while in the boat house. While in the water after being dumped, I realized that I had not had the forethought to have the means of getting out out of the water if I did turtle. Safety protocols have now been installed for that also. Because I lacked the ability to get into the kayaks safely, I lost several items from the kayak when it turned over. Tomorrow I will be free diving to try to retrieve those items (with safety protocols in place). And lastly, the thought has crossed my mind that I am not prepared for being dumped in the open water of a lake. Safety protocols will be installed to protect me, my fishing tackle, and the kayak.

1) Put a PFD on before messing with the kayak.
2) Don't put anything in the kayak that you can't lose or isn't waterproof.
3) If you do flip in the middle of a lake or river, find the paddle first, then the kayak. It is easier to swim with the paddle toward the kayak than to swim with the kayak toward the paddle.

If you are around little kids, their PFD is the first thing on and last thing off.

PowerLizard, I agree with each of your points. But, to take it a step further, I wouldn't have been able to flip my wide kayak right side up if I had been been in open water. I intend to correct that. Also actions can be taken to minimize losses of tackle/gear. I'm already exploring the options available.

Flipping the kayak back over is all about leverage and determination. A 5 foot piece of rope doesn't hurt either. It helps to learn what you can and can't do in warm lake water with friend or two nearby. Take turns flipping, up-righting and climbing back in.

Just a word of caution about trying to avoid losing stuff. Many beginners try to tie down or leash everything which can make a mess if you flip and get tangled up in all of it, especially in a moving river. Keeping lids closed and some stuff bungeed in place goes a long way. The more leashes, tie downs and straps you have in your kayak, the more things you can hook accidentally.

If you are wearing a PFD and flip, your hands are free to save a fishing rod and grab a paddle. If you are not wearing your PFD, your hands are busy swimming you back to the water surface for a breath of air.

Several excellent points (especially the PFD & hooks catching on stuff), I really hadn't thought about having the hands free to grab an item. One thought is to have a cover for my milk carton. I will have a short rope tied to the side hand hold.

I rolled my kayak for the first time 2 weekends ago fishing around Port Aransas. I lost a jig head and 2 pairs of needle nose pliers. Academy has the pliers for $5-6 each I think so thankfully not a big loss. All of sinkable tackle was strapped to my kayak (Coosa HD) and the packages of plastics I had out floated.

My grandfather was a die hard boater - he taught me.. if it isn't tied down or float - you will lose it. And sometimes even then you still will. Applies doubly to kayaks.

I always wear a PFD - have floats on all my rods(either velcro'd or a tether float I can remove when I use it), all my tackle gets zipped into a bag that is attached. I tether my pliers, net, and trough. And I have't lost anything the few time I've turtled.

Even with all that i have lost a trough and emergency dive knive in rough water. The trough got lost to a tether that snapped in a wave. The dive knive got lost to cutting a friend's stuck anchor in sudden weather.

As the guys have stated to many tethers is dangerous because you can get tangled in them when you turtle. Also loose hooks are the worst - nothing like getting hooked by a treble while your trying to recover from a flip, get back in your boat, and find all your stuff.

In my limited kayak experience, always wear a pfd, watershoes, clothes you don't mind wearing wet, carry a large towel, minimal equipment, small anchor, light, one rod, one small lure box, hook protectors on everything. Head for the bank at the first gust of wind. Tiedowns fore and aft with clips on both ends. Be careful and have fun!