Ed,
I too have a whistle at the ready, and sometimes I carry an airhorn in my backrest (on weekends, or holidays, when boaters are drinkin a little too much...). The glow stick is a good idea. I was gonna clamp one of those battery powered stern lights onto my rod rack. It will not only be functional, but will also look cool. Speaking of safety equipment, have you seen those auxilary automatic inflating bladder deals that caddis makes? They cost like 40 bucks, but look like a good idea.
-Brian