I think the important thing to note at this point, is that Dave is vocal and complaining. Coughing up blood can be very serious, but more or less the same symptom can result from blasting the nasal membranes with saline jet-wash.
I carry a (thankfully) large paddling jacket in my front hatch (one that will fit over my buoyancy aid), and Dave was able to get this on under his own PFD and jacket, and as a consequence downgrade his F cold back to B cold. Shame we did not have hot tea, or the stove.....
Time to be cruel to be kind, and get Dave working with a long boat drag over the sand spit to a safer launch spot - at least he had the lightest kayak - but still painful progress initially.
Back on the water he cheered up a bit, and was soon paddling well, but after about 500m was suddenly hit by exhaustion (delayed shock?). Rich took on the towing duties, while I was in the novel position of keeping Dave talking (I never thought I would say that) and paddling for the rest of the short trip back to Malltraeth.
The only real casualty of the day was a bag of apples, but it could all have been a lot easier with say a group shelter, and the stove.
We all like the sea because it is unpredictable. Trips at the same location can be very different due to varying tide and wind conditions. You don't really know what to expect, so maybe just take all the kit?
When you are on the water as part of a small group of paddlers, you can become the de facto group leader without warning .......... are you ready?
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