Two sea kayakers dead in the same week here in Maine.

Yesterday on Megunticook Lake in Camden. And Monday off Deer Isle.

Tragic. And sad.

And very likely unnecessary.

The paddler drowned in Camden wore no personal floatation device, or PFD. I'm sorry, but that's simply inexcusable and downright foolish.

In the Deer Isle accident the paddler was out on the water alone. Exactly what happened out there is anyone's guess. But it's never a good idea to paddle solo. It just isn't. If anything goes wrong, you're on your own. And why put yourself in that situation?

Even after five years I'm still on the novice end of the sea kayaking scale, so those more experienced than I may want to chime in on proper safety precautions.

The sport of sea kayaking has its share of unpredictablility. Accidents can and do happen out on the water. So why not use common sense and try to keep the deck stacked in your favor?

To stay safe you've got to be prepared, even for a short, easy paddling trip.

A PFD always, and a paddling buddy too.