Older story, but worth a look.

kayaker has unplanned overnight

A small kit (and a big plan) would have made all the difference

Note that the group started the trip at 2 PM, not much daylight left at this time of year.

"You will never regret starting too early, you will always regret starting too late." - Gaston Rebuffat

"found around 5:30 AM" That's good, but it would have been even better if she had been found around a fire - which of course would have rendered the finding much easier....

To be fair, the newspaper article is dated 28 June so there must have been at least 6 hours of daylight left.

At any rate, I'm pretty sure the problem could be avoided easily with a little organization and planning. On any outdoor trip, boating excursion, trek etc. always keep an eye out for your buddies - and make sure they do the same for you. If at all possible, check everyone's position periodically (even if you're not the designated group leader). Picking a rally point or two along the way can be very helpful, ideally a conspicuous landmark easily visible from afar.

Handheld radio transceivers can be a huge asset in that kind of situation. License-free (FRS/GMRS/PMR/CB) or ham radio, doesn't really matter as long as it works for you. Also, it's very important to have some good means of signalling for rescue. A whistle worn securely on one's person would be a bare minimum. Maybe a flare, too. It's a great way to attract attention at night, and at the same time makes a very reliable fire starter.

Slightly off-topic but here in finland we have daylight around the clock in june/july.

I blissfully overlooked the date of the incident, assuming it to be more recent. Even so, mid afternoon is rather late, except possibly in high latitudes. Of course, practices like this provide lots of opportunities for SAR groups, keeping them active and alert (speaking from experience).

If nothing else, the takeaway is the danger of relying too heavily on a group, or even a guide, to look after you. Too many things can happen, leaving you to look after yourself, at least for a while. Doubly so on the water. Canoedogs' life vest with its well-thought-out extras would have been worth its weight in gold in that situation.

a tiny bit of prep here would at least make the overnight more comfortable:
2 water bottles
rain jacket
tiny sunscreen, bug repellent, chapstick
energy bars
tiny flashlight
matches

in a small backpack or bag.

I will appreciate a link about that vest

Canoedogs' overboard vest thread is here: http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=10186&Number=115815#Post115815a
Unfortunately a few of the photos have gone missing.

BruceZed did a post in the same vein here: http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=149609&nt=6&page=1

BTW, the best way to search for stuff in equipped.org forums is Google advanced search: https://www.google.com/advanced_search . It finds pretty much everything.

What type of kayak was the victim paddling? - a "real" kayak with a cockpit and plenty of room for gear, or one of those whoosy "sit on' toys.....

(My opinion is probably showing.)...

All the news reports seem to parrot the official law enforcement statement, with no added detail whatsoever. Not helpful at all.

I doubt the water temperature in a Minnesota river is tropical, so a sit-upon kayak might get you wet and cold if you're unlucky and inadequately dressed.

On the other hand, having paddled one of the larger-sized sit-upon jobs, there's plenty of room to lash on a pack or dry bag containing all the essentials for an unexpected overnight.

If it's not on you, it won't save you. Article seems to imply that she became seperated from her canoue.
Personally I think a 4 hour basic survival class qualification should be a basic requisite for kyackers amonst others.

I have always preferred a PFD with pockets so that signalling and survival gear can be carried on one's person. Assume you are going to get wet when kayaking anywhere - at least Minnesota waters are delightfully fresh.

I disagree -- having extra gear in the boat might be of use.

The wonderful thing about a kayak, at least the sea kayak variety, is that you can stash much more gear within it than you would ever want to put in a backpack - easily 100 pounds or so. So you can carry lots of nice stuff. Problems arise when you consider that it is all too easy to become separated from your kayak and all that nice gear. Tht is my rationale for a pocketed,roomy vest with critical survival gear.

Of course, it is probably true that one does not always ear their PFD....

They're not mutually exclusive. Keep the essentials on you, and the nice to have stuff that's not practical to carry continuously on the boat.

^^ This. Canoedogs has an awesome life vest set-up and this is a great thread, with even more suggestions. Personally, I take notes from it whenever I'm prepping to hit the water. It's a darned solid survival kit set-up!!

http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=10186&Number=115815#Post115815a

I bought my girlfriend a sea kayak so she can go with me.

I equipped her life jacket with a full complement of basic survival gear including a strobe, knife, hand and aerial flares, smoke, rescue streamer, mirror, whistle, flashlight, pocket survival pack plus.

In each of our boats is a dry flotation bag tethered in the stern compartment with additional, duplicate, and more bulky gear.

Even on short day trips on the local little lake we carry everything and are self sufficient. Practice the same way every time.

If only I carried gear how would she fend for herself if I get taken out? I need to know she can take care of herself if I'm not around any longer or we get separated!

You can lose a boat or sink one, but most often on a river it goes a bit downstream and gets stuck..so yes, its ok to store more in it.