No matter how many years of kayaking experience you have or how skillful you are, accidents can take place at any moment. Your boat can be capsized by a giant wave or by a strong gust of wind and there is almost nothing you can do to stop it. In such cases, a rescue throw bag can make all the difference between life and death. These rescue throw bags are designed in such a way that they can be thrown from the shore to those people who have fallen into the water and thus helping you save their lives.
Rescue Throw Bag basically contains large rope (at least 50 feet in length). But a rescue throw bag is more than just a container for rope. Some manufacturers tend to include first aid kit in the throw bag so that if someone gets injured in the event of a capsize, his injuries can be taken care of before he/she can be admitted to a hospital. So, in case your boat gets capsized, the very first thing that you should expect is a rescue throw bag thrown at you.
Best 5 Rescue Throw Bag for Kayaking
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01. Scotty #0793 Rescue Throw Bag
The Scotty #0793 Rescue Throw Bag is a compact, essential piece of safety gear for kayaking, rafting, or canoeing. It comes packed with 50 feet of floating yellow polypropylene line inside a bright orange bag that’s easy to spot in an emergency. The quick-release drawstring top makes fast deployment possible when every second counts. Whether you’re paddling solo or guiding a group, having a throw rope like this can be a lifesaver during capsizes or swift-water rescues.
It’s built for freshwater or coastal use, and the bag’s size makes it simple to store on deck or clip to your PFD. While it does exactly what it’s supposed to in rescue situations, it’s not made for anchoring or towing heavy gear, and repacking the rope after use can take a little patience.
✅ Pros
- 50 feet of high-visibility floating rope
- Compact design fits easily on boats or vests
- Quick-access drawstring bag for fast deployment
- Ideal for kayaking, rafting, and swift-water rescue
❌ Cons
- Not intended for towing or anchoring heavy objects
- Can be tricky to repack neatly after use
02. AnKun Water Rescue Throw Bag
The AnKun Water Rescue Throw Bag is built for emergencies on the water, giving you 50 feet of durable, floating rope stored in a bright orange, easy-to-spot bag. Designed for fast deployment, the bag features a secure drawstring closure and a bottom loop for easy handling or clipping onto your kayak or raft. Whether you’re out on a river, lake, or coastal waterway, this throwable rescue tool can make the difference during a man-overboard or capsizing situation.
The 8mm thick polypropylene rope is strong enough for basic rescues and retrievals, but it’s not made for pulling heavy objects or towing gear. While the bag is compact and easy to store, it can be a bit snug when trying to repack the rope quickly after use.
✅ Pros
- 50 ft of floating rope made for emergency water rescues
- Bright orange bag improves visibility in low-light conditions
- Durable 8mm rope thickness for added strength
- Lightweight and compact for boats, kayaks, and paddleboards
❌ Cons
- Tight fit makes rope a bit hard to repack fast
- Not suitable for towing heavy items or anchoring
03. HOKINETY Water Rescue Throw Bag
The HOKINETY Water Rescue Throw Bag is a practical safety tool designed for kayakers, paddleboarders, and boaters who want peace of mind while out on the water. It comes with a 50-foot floating rescue rope packed in a high-visibility orange bag, making it easier to locate in fast-moving or low-light conditions. The bag has a mesh design that drains quickly and helps the rope dry faster, which comes in handy after unexpected splashes or rescues.
This throw bag is well-suited for emergency retrievals during capsizes or near-drowning situations, but it’s not meant for towing or anchoring gear. The 8mm polypropylene rope handles basic rescue needs well, though the compact bag design can be a bit tricky to repack when you’re in a rush.
✅ Pros
- 50 ft floating rope with bright orange rescue bag
- Mesh sides allow for quick drainage and drying
- Lightweight and compact—fits easily in kayaks or canoes
- Good for water rescues in lakes, rivers, or nearshore areas
❌ Cons
- Not suitable for towing or load-bearing tasks
- Repacking rope into the bag takes some practice
04. NTR Water Rescue Throw Bag
The NTR Water Rescue Throw Bag is designed for serious water safety, giving paddlers, rafters, and boaters a reliable way to respond during emergencies. It includes a 70-foot long, 8.5mm thick floating rope made of strong polypropylene, giving it an edge over shorter options for long-distance throws or deeper water situations. The bright yellow and red bag increases visibility and includes a reflective strip, which is useful during low-light rescues.
While it’s well-built for quick deployment, the bag’s larger size might be bulkier to store in small kayaks or compact spaces. And just like most rescue bags, it’s not designed for towing or anchoring heavy loads. Still, for rescue-focused use, this one checks a lot of boxes.
✅ Pros
- Extra-long 70 ft floating rope offers extended reach
- High-visibility bag with reflective strip for night use
- 8.5mm thick rope provides solid grip and strength
- Great for swiftwater rescue, rafting, or coastal paddling
❌ Cons
- Bulky size may not fit easily in smaller kayaks
- Not intended for gear towing or anchoring
05. Skog Å Kust Rescue Throw Rope Bag
The Skog Å Kust Rescue Throw Rope Bag is a high-quality safety tool made for kayakers, boaters, and anyone active on the water. It features a 50-foot floating rope made from durable polypropylene and comes in a rugged, waterproof bag with welded seams and a roll-down top. The bag doubles as a dry bag, which adds extra value—great for storing essentials while also keeping a rescue rope on hand.
It’s compact enough to stow on deck or clip to your gear, and the reflective details improve visibility when you need it most. That said, the rope isn’t as thick as some other heavy-duty options, and the dry bag style can make it slightly slower to deploy in urgent situations.
✅ Pros
- Waterproof dry bag design with welded seams
- 50 ft floating rope for quick water rescues
- Reflective elements for low-light visibility
- Dual-use design: rescue gear + dry storage
❌ Cons
- Rope is thinner than some competing options
- Roll-top design takes slightly longer to open in emergencies
What to Look for in A Throw Bag?
If you have ever tried to rescue someone whose boat has got capsized without a throw bag, you could be in for a rude shock. Without having access to modern safety equipment, a river rescue plan may turn out to be a massive disaster at the end. A proper rescue throw bag should always be a part of the rescue plan. This is the reason why you need to be extra careful while selecting a good quality rescue throw bag for your next kayaking adventure trip. Below are some factors that you need to carefully consider while selecting a throw bag –
1. Reflective Patches
Tio increase the visibility of a rescue throw bag, some companies are going one step further and they are adding reflective patches on rescue throw bags. These reflective patches make it easier for people to see the rescue throw bags in the water. In low light conditions, these reflective patches can make all the difference between life and death.
2. Rope Length
50 feet is the ideal length of a rescue throw bag. But of late, some companies are designing and rolling out rescue throw bag with 70 feet long rope. A long rope might prove beneficial if you are planning to paddle on wide rivers.
3. Visibility
Imagine your friend’s boat has capsized and he is expecting you to throw the rescue throw bag. Now, in those critical moments, you should try hard not to waste a single second while trying to find and throw the rescue throw bag. A brightly colored rescue throw bag can prove immensely helpful in such critical situations as these colorful bags are easy to spot.
4. Thin or Thick
What good is a rescue throw bag if you can’t throw it to properly. People with large physique might not face any trouble whatsoever while throwing a rescue throw bag to a certain distance. But once the rope gets wet, it gets heavier and people with small physical frame might have to struggle a lot while throwing the bag to a specific location.
Thin ropes can be carried easily and they can be thrown a greater distance. But the main problem is that thin ropes are not as strong as their thick counterparts and they can get snapped very easily if used roughly. Moreover, the thin rope can cause rope burn for both the swimmer and the rescuer.
Thick ropes are on the other hands are stronger but at the same time, they are hard to throw over long distances. You need to have a good physique if you want to throw it over a long distance. Thick ropes are primarily used by emergency service providers and professional rescue teams.
5. The Size of the Bag
If you don’t have a large storage space in your kayak, you might have to settle for a smaller rescue throw bag. If you are looking for extra-long ropes, the size of the throw bag will then increase automatically to accommodate that extra length. It is simple math. If you need rescue throw bag with 60- or 70-feet long rope, you will have to make some kind of sacrifice on the storage front. So, it is all about finding the right spot in between.
Rescue Throw Bag FAQ
What Are You Going To Use It For?
Rescue throw bags can be used for advance rescue. Some people are even using rescue bags to either lift or lower boats. However, the primary use of a rescue throw bag is to get a person onshore after his boat gets capsized.
How Thick The Rope Of A Rescue Throw Bag Has To Be?
10mm is the ideal thickness of a rescue rope. However, some people do face a lot of trouble while throwing a rescue throw bag to a swimmer. It is the weight and the size of the rescue throw bag can decide how far you can throw it. However, in case, you have already purchased a large rescue throw bag, you can make the bag lighter and smaller by removing lines from the bag. Unlike thin ropes, thicker ropes are easier to handle and they tend to last really long. However, thinner ropes are easy to throw.
What to look for in a Rescue Throw Bag?
Here are some factors that you need to take into consideration while buying a rescue throw bag –
- Quick clip attachment point.
- The principle of the clean line should be met at all cost.
- The diameter, length and the breaking strength of the rope should be mentioned clearly on the label.
- The rope has to be strong and durable.
