Suitable group gear can make a huge difference in paddling trips when things don’t work out as planned.  I like performing a group gear check prior to setting shuttle and often bring the major items in my car in case others don’t have them.  Group gear can be a tad bulky or heavy so it’s best to spread the load around.  Also, this helps to avoid single points of failure.  Many group items are very trip type dependent, you would bring very different gear for creeking versus large rivers, same goes for day trips versus extended trips. 

• Pin Kit:
  • 4 Carabiners (locking):
    
    • Omega Jake Cabiner
    • Omega Pacific Scrwew Lock Carabiner
    • Petzl AMD Carabiner
  • 3 Pulleys:
    • SMC 2" Swiftwater Pulley
    • SMC CR-x 1" Pulley
  • 2 Prusik Loops:
    • 5 mm Accessory Cord
    • Purchase at REI, cut to length (choose two lengths 4.5' & 5'
  • 1 30’ Climbing Webbing:
    • 30' x 1" Climbing Webbing
  • Glacier Gloves:
    • Glacier Hypalon Gloves
  • Small Stainless-Steel Camping Saw:
    • Gerber Folding Saw
• Full Size Throw Rope:
  • 70’ x 3/8” preferable Dyneema or Spectra
    • NRS Rescue Pro - Spectra
    • NRS Standard - Polypropolene
  • Avoid 1/4" thickness, especially with Polypropolene as it's too weak
  • Depending on group size, it’s nice to have two of these
  • Polypropylene is OK for Kayaks but not for large open canoes or rafts
• Breakdown Paddle:
  • Werner Sherpa Breakdown Paddle
  • It’s not unusual for someone to break their paddle on Intermediate and above trips
  • These fit easily in any size boat (even playboats)
  • I also stash a pair of hand paddles as Playboaters will gladly loan out their paddle for one of these
• First Aid Kit:
  • First Aid Kit Inventory Sheet
  • This is an absolute must
  • Restock every Winter
• Repair Kit (Optional but very handy):
  • Gorilla Tape – Nothing but the best
  • Thin strong cord – good enough to fix a broken back band
  • Wine Corks – Best replacement drain plug out there
  • Multi-Tool
  • Small sewing kit
  • Safety Pins
• Survival (Very optional):
  • Space Blanket or better yet Bivvy Sack
  • Tube Tent or Tyvek Tarp
  • Fire starter:
    • Wetfire
    • Sparking Tool
    • Waterproof Matches
  • Metal cup
  • Candle
  • Small Flashlight or better yet – Head Lamp
  • Food Bars (I often combine these with my Pin Kit)
  • Life Straw or Water Purification Tablets
• Cell Phone in a Pelican Box
• Large Streams:
  • Messenger Line (Paracord works well for this and has many uses)
  • 12-ounce Arbor Throw Weight