Yesterday on the Nolan River I witnessed a yak fisherman turning his boat over in about 15 foot of water. He was not wearing a life jacket but was able to hang on to the yak. Luckily, there were some guys nearby in a Nitro who helped him get out of the water. It looked like he was wearing some of boots. Those guys in the boat probably saved his life. Water was around 65 degrees. Not cold, but cold enough if you're submerged in it. Please wear your life jackets in a yak.

Texas Life Jacket Laws
Kayak life jacket law: All canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards must have on board one USCG approved wearable PFD for each person on board.
Minimum age to wear a life jacket: Under 13
Approved life jackets: USCG-approved
When a PFD has to be worn by a child: While underway and on deck
Vessel length requirement: Vessels less than 26′

Ok. So just like the law for other boats. Only have to have one on board. Doesn't do much good if the yak gets flipped.

You don't have to wear it but you would be ignorant if you did not!

When you cheat on safety, you're only cheating yourself(and anyone dependent on your being alive). Always wear your PFD in a kayak and a seat belt in a vehicle! IslandJim

Wearing a PFD is vital, but only helps if someone can get to you in time, wetsuit recommended to give someone enough time especially if they are isolated and far from shore.

https://useakayak.org/references/hypothermia_table.html

Only time I fished out of my kayak without wearing my PFD was when I was in water that I could stand up in, not over my head.
It may feel warm outside in the early spring, but the water is still cold enough that it's dangerous.

Always on a lake. Point is a good one that it does no good if its not on you and buckled up when you have an issue on a yak.

I wont lie though, there is a private pond I fish that sometimes I dont wear it.... Its small, I can stand in 80% of it. I am a good swimmer and never fish alone. Its prob not a good idea. But I do admit sometimes I fish there without one on.

Thanks for your honesty Dan (and Jimbo). If folks are honest, 75% of us will admit to the same. For example, when I fish near my dock/marina in the summer months, I rarely wear a PFD.... I am never more than 30 feet from the bank, in a protected cove, in a no-wake zone, and 25 to 100 people are within eyeshot at all times.

However, after a close call in a freak storm about 2 years ago, I reluctantly strap one on whenever I am not near my dock. I found myself in a bad situation fast and I had to scramble to put on my PFD. I never flipped, but I was absolutely in harm's way for 90 seconds longer than I should have been... The wind went from dead calm to 30MPH to 50MPH in a matter of minutes. Less than 5 minutes after I strapped on the PFD I did a 360 that I barely controlled and almost got pushed out into 48" rollers. Im not gonna lie, I was scared.

Had I not been in my 150-pound tank of a Kayak with flippers, skeg and rudder (and if my paddle was not at arms reach), I am 99% certain that I would have flipped AFTER I was pushed into the 48" rollers. If this happened without a PFD, I might not be typing this reply.

I wear an inflatable PFD when the water is warm and a regular PFD with the water is cold. This (inflatable) is a whole other hot topic discussion

In my opinion, it's wise to strap on a PDF in all stations. However, I feel that it's "ok" not to do so in some situations... but its still somewhat risky.

I'm one to wear it always. Also have a throwable boat cushion I sit on. PFD goes on before I launch the yak.

I dont have a cushion but I do keep an extra PFD in a hatch. I figure if I come across someone in trouble it would be useful.

A buddy came across a swimmer who had gone out too far, was tired and was in real trouble. He paddled over to him and the guy grabbed onto the yak and dang near flipped him... the guy was in a panic. A situation like that... the extra PFD or throwable cushion would have been very handy.

I was told early on in my Yakking career that it is not a matter of if you will turtle it but when will you turtle it!

Better make sure that everything you want to keep it tied down as well.

When you turtle and you will, a slight breeze can push your ride pretty quick, then you have to chase it, then you spent all that energy to catch it if you can, and now have to flip it and climb back on.
Now try that in cold or moving water.
If your PDF is too hot in summer get a different one.
You only have one shot, do it wrong, you lose.