While inflatable stand up paddle boards are awesome for flatwater paddling and SUP surfing, they have some special safety issues that paddlers using iSUPs should know about - I have created this page to discuss iSUP / inflatable stand up paddle board safety.
The first safety issue and biggest concern with iSUPs is wind. An iSUP can be carried away very quickly by the wind. If you fall off the iSUP and the wind takes it away from you, you could be left in a dangerous spot without your SUP - this is why it is important to wear a leash on an iSUP. The wind also can make it very difficult or impossible for you to paddle into the wind. Paddlers can be caught unaware by the wind - a paddler can paddle with the wind when starting their trip and be unable or have a very difficult time getting back to where they started. If there is an offshore wind away from shore they might even paddle away from shore with the wind and not be able to paddle back into the wind to the shore and get blown out to sea.
Another safety issue with iSUPs is that they can get a leak / pop / lose air. It is a good idea to bring a hand pump along with you on your paddle just in case you need to put more air in your iSUP. Also having a life jacket along on an iSUP is important.
Even if you don't follow all the iSUP safety precautions I have mentioned, It is important that you are aware of the unique safety concerns with inflatable stand up paddle boards. I admit that sometimes I don't wear a leash or wear a life jacket, but I always have them available and do use them when the conditions require.
Additional paddling Safety Information is in my SUP book Introduction - click here