A paddle leash is used to secure a paddle in open water with a sea kayak. Especially on solo tours after capsizing a paddle might drift away through wind or waves and not be recovered. A paddle leash must not be used in whitewater kayaking due to the danger of getting strangled.
![](http://up.wiki.x.io/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/PaddleLeash.jpg/220px-PaddleLeash.jpg)