Ask the guy who was rescued from the Connecticut River on Tuesday. He wasn't wearing his pfd when he capsized and was rescued by the Walpole chief of police. The chief said he was minutes from drowing.
It would be difficult to grab for the pfd, paddle and kayak at the same time after capsizing especially with some wind. And then what? I've researched how to get back into my kayak but haven't tried it. It would take me more than one try if I could do it at all. I'll be bobbing next to my kayak holding onto it and the paddle hoping someone will see me and come help.
Here's the Channel 9 article:
http://www.wmur.com/news/28678835/detail.html