Many years ago after a cold weather boating accident and the immediate search afterwards for my friend, whose body we found 5 days later, I changed a number of things in my boating routine. Not just due to his death but the extremes we went through that day as well.
I wear a lanyard that has a whistle and fire on it. If I make it to shore I have that.
I carry a double edged river knife, one side is fully serrated to cut rope or line. I have another clipped to a day pack.
There is a waterproof sealine bag kept near where I am most likely to bail from. Waterproof and it floats.
Even my fishing rags/hand towels have all been upgraded to synthetic. If you need to dry off you want a synthetic towel. It has other uses as well.
Handheld radio is waterproof. Whistles, mirrors, flares, triox bars, other tinder, heavy casualty blanket, synthetic towel, paracord, extra clothing for layers, all synthetic like Columbia and under armour. Other stuff like posted above. It does double duty since you can use these things while on board AND you know what you have.