4 year old must wear life jacket?

  I want to take Wyatt to a back tule pocket for bluegill and bass fishing.  It will be between 1 and 3 feet deep with no current, we'll be anchored, and it'll be hot. 
On our past outings Wyatt's overheating has been the thing that cuts our trips short.
  By law, is he required to wear the life jacket at all times on a kayak?  If we get out of the yak to cool off, can he take it off then?

If your splashing in the water by the shore, you should be ok.  Lifejacket in kayak or in too deep of water for him (he might just like the floating around in his jacket).

  By law, is he required to wear the life jacket at all times on a kayak?  If we get out of the yak to cool off, can he take it off then?

Yes and yes.

State law requires all children under 13 years old to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while on board a vessel that is 26ft or less while underway. Also, anyone being towed behind a vessel (such as skiing) and anyone riding a personal watercraft must wear a life jacket.

http://www.dbw.ca.gov/FAQ/BoaterFAQ.aspx#Q3

If he gets hot, I say just dip him in the water or splash him a little - make a game of it & he should be OK.

1st ?: Can he swim?
2nd ?: If you rolled and hit your head what would happen to him.
 Safty first.
 Randall

he can float around in the pfd and fish from the water when he is hot.  My kids have done that before and loved it.  Kind of like float tubing.

He said he'd be anchored, so by law, I say "no."  By common sense, I say "yes."  See yesterday's thread about drowning for more detail.

At 4 years old I wouldn't put a kid in a kayak without a life jacket... no better time to start teaching him to always wear the life jacket even if it does mean a short trip.

Hi Yakers:

            Shorten the time you kids are exposed to the Noon Sun and
 take Naps with them. Keep the Vest on, don't go thru life wishing you had!
            Once I started have Kids I had less Fishing time and, had
to adjust my Fishing to suite my Family needs.
           
                                                                Just my Spin
                                                                 E
                                                               

anytime he's got water underneath his feet, he is legally required to wear a PFD.  if he thinks there is an option, he will whine.  if he sees you without a pfd, he will whine.  and if he goes into the water without, well, there are several scenarios. 









you get the idea..........

anytime he's got water underneath his feet, he is legally required to wear a PFD. 

On a dock/pier?  Certainly a good idea for a 4 year old, but legally required?  I completely agree with everything else you said, I was just trying to answer the original question.  If the language quoted earlier is the main criteria (vessel less than 26ft UNDERWAY), then LEGALLY, I still say no (once again - common sense says yes).  I can't imagine any definition of "underway" would include an anchored vessel, but I'm too lazy to look it up. 

when i see pics like yours Alan I can't wait to get my daughter (3 1/2) out fishing...with a life jacket of course. She already loves the jacket as she knows that means she's going on a water adventure.  When she's too hot i dunk her (which apparently is nearly as fun as going headfirst on your back down a waterslide)

I knew a question like that would get quite a few suggestions.  Thanks everyone, and especially Pisciform for the link to the law I have been looking for.