Here are four thoughts concerning safety and sea kayaking. The first three are from Laurie Ford, a noteworthy Tasmanian sea kayaker...unfortunately, his entire web page is no longer available.
1. The worst possible thing a group of sea kayakers can do is to leave someone behind. Laurie Ford describes his kayaking with the a popular sea kayak club out of mainland Australia. He was horrified that they would leave paddlers behind, never caring about why they fell behind, where they were, or what eventually became of them. Laurie stopped paddling with this group.
2. Let's say the group is aware of a paddler or paddlers falling behind, so they stop. Once the straggler catches up to the group, the rest of the group should not take off immediately. Give the paddler a few minutes to recharge, inquire if there is any problem, etc.
3. If a paddler falls behind due to some sort of trouble, (whether some bodily distress or equipment failure), the only thing this paddler should have to do is stop. If the rest of the group is diligent, they will soon realize there is a problem, and go back to the paddler to see what's up. The paddler, if able, for a faster response, can blow a whistle or hold up his paddle vertically. But even if he doesn't or can't do this, the situation should soon be known by an aware group.
4. (this one is mine) Years ago, I 'invented' a kayaking role (like lead or sweep). I called this role 'liaison.' What I do as liaison is hang out with the paddlers at the front of the group for a short time. Then, I would slow down, until I was with the paddlers at the end of the group. I would ask how they were doing, etc. Then I would sprint to the front of the line and communicate any concerns. Needless to say, this can be an exhausting position, and I was much better at it when younger, but I still try to do it now. (It goes along well with my video-recording, as I like to get footage of all the paddlers.) The same thing can be accomplished via VHF radio at the sweep and lead positions, but the idea is the same, to maintain communication with the vanguard and the tail of the group.
CONCLUSION: All of these points apply especially to the group coordinators, but also to all paddlers in the group...the coordinator has only 2 eyes, but with a group of, say, 10, you have 20 eyes available. Also, each paddler must realistically access if he/she is up for a particular paddle. A paddler who enjoys peaceful, gentle paddles probably should not go on a 20-mile trip.
1. The worst possible thing a group of sea kayakers can do is to leave someone behind. Laurie Ford describes his kayaking with the a popular sea kayak club out of mainland Australia. He was horrified that they would leave paddlers behind, never caring about why they fell behind, where they were, or what eventually became of them. Laurie stopped paddling with this group.
2. Let's say the group is aware of a paddler or paddlers falling behind, so they stop. Once the straggler catches up to the group, the rest of the group should not take off immediately. Give the paddler a few minutes to recharge, inquire if there is any problem, etc.
3. If a paddler falls behind due to some sort of trouble, (whether some bodily distress or equipment failure), the only thing this paddler should have to do is stop. If the rest of the group is diligent, they will soon realize there is a problem, and go back to the paddler to see what's up. The paddler, if able, for a faster response, can blow a whistle or hold up his paddle vertically. But even if he doesn't or can't do this, the situation should soon be known by an aware group.
4. (this one is mine) Years ago, I 'invented' a kayaking role (like lead or sweep). I called this role 'liaison.' What I do as liaison is hang out with the paddlers at the front of the group for a short time. Then, I would slow down, until I was with the paddlers at the end of the group. I would ask how they were doing, etc. Then I would sprint to the front of the line and communicate any concerns. Needless to say, this can be an exhausting position, and I was much better at it when younger, but I still try to do it now. (It goes along well with my video-recording, as I like to get footage of all the paddlers.) The same thing can be accomplished via VHF radio at the sweep and lead positions, but the idea is the same, to maintain communication with the vanguard and the tail of the group.
CONCLUSION: All of these points apply especially to the group coordinators, but also to all paddlers in the group...the coordinator has only 2 eyes, but with a group of, say, 10, you have 20 eyes available. Also, each paddler must realistically access if he/she is up for a particular paddle. A paddler who enjoys peaceful, gentle paddles probably should not go on a 20-mile trip.
Rocks are our friends! 
