I run the jetski offshore a lot, and there are two lists of gear that matter: what the law says I have to carry, and what I actually want on board when I'm miles out and something goes sideways. Here's both.
/ What the Law Requires
The baseline first: a life jacket (PFD), a whistle or other sound signal, a fire extinguisher, a visual distress signal, and the kill-switch lanyard clipped to your vest. Non-negotiable, all of it cheap insurance.
/ What I Added for Offshore
Most importantly, an ACR ResQLink View PLB — a buoyant GPS personal locator beacon. It's the last-resort button: if everything else fails, this sends a satellite SOS with your position to search and rescue. No subscription, no monthly fee. It just has to work the one time you need it. The EPIRB is strapped to me, on the side of my lifejacket. Always.
The Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus — a satellite communicator for off-grid two-way messaging, SOS, and location sharing. The PLB is the emergency button; the inReach is how you tell someone you're running late instead of triggering a full-blown rescue.
A proper Sea-Doo Explorer Life Jacket, in Large. It's impact-rated and actually comfortable enough to wear all day — because a life jacket you take off isn't doing you any good.
The FCS x SHARKBANZ POD — a magnetic shark-deterrent pod I keep on my lifejacket. Cause you never know. It's not a guarantee, but it's one more layer of peace of mind when I'm far offshore.
My favorite offshore reel — the Van Staal VR Series (VR150B), a fully sealed spinning reel built for saltwater. Offshore, the reel is the first thing to fail; a sealed one is worth every penny.
The Insta360 X5 Starter Bundle — a 360° action camera to capture the offshore runs. Not a safety item, but it's how the good days get saved.
Some of these links are affiliate links — I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
Until the next run out — work hard, play hard.