My
personal view is that a logical prioritised list of survival equipment
for an English Channel crossing goes like this:
(Assumes a radio equipped aircraft of known provenance, crossing at a sensible altitude, Day VFR).
1. Lifejacket
2. Immersion suit (& suitable underclothing.)
3. EPIRB (121.5 MHz OK)
4. Liferaft (canopy strongly preferred)
If you're really keen/nervous:
5. Signal mirror
6. Flares
7. Handheld radio (water protected)
8. Portable GPS (water protected)
I'd personally be happy to cross with "only" lifejacket and immersion suit in Summer - reasoning being my personal view of risk based on the survival times from the chart on p2 of
CAA Safety Sense Leaflet 21 "Ditching".
Crossing with jacket only in Summer? I can convince myself it would be (just)acceptable, but wouldn't dream of attempting to convince anyone else...
Note that immersion suits for occupants > liferaft under these circumstances.