Most important piece of equipment from a safety stand point is not in my bag but around my neck. It's a lanyard with a mini mag light and a whistle. If you ever get hurt, lost etc the whistle will be heard farther and you can blow it a long time verses shouting especially with a loud surf. Course I never go out with out a pair of good side cutter pliers.
Sigh..... One could only dream of the possibilities that a 9MM could bring to reality on an open beach with a decent fish on your line and a seal pops up. Oh.... just the thought causes me to salivate.