All the benefits of a harness in an easy to don jacket.
Our Northern Diver R-Vests have been developed to assist divers. Rather than have several cumbersome items of kit, R-Vests enables you to replace them with this one, easy to don jacket. Also known in the industry as recovery vests, our R-Vests combine a recovery harness, cylinder attachment, quick-release weight belt and work vest with tool attachment points into one body-hugging unit.
With an overall breaking strength of 1000kg, which we've had independently tested, our Northern Diver R-Vests surpass the requirements set by the Association of Diving Contractors International. They're manufactured and tested to IMCA's guidelines as well as being EN 15333-1:2008 compliant.
The waistcoat style we've adopted for our R-Vests is available in 2 different sizes. So you can choose the right fit for you:
- Chest Size: STANDARD | 91cm - 116cm | 36" - 46"
- Chest Size: XL | 121cm - 162cm | 48" - 64"
Tool pouch is included. It can also be purchase separately.
-Manufactured & tested in accordance with ADCI guidelines
-Each of the 9 D-rings has been independently tested to a breaking strength of 1000kg
-Quick release sat bag for tools
-Quick release weight pockets
-Loop for carrying hammer
-Backpack with cam band for attaching cylinders
-Adjustable waist and crotch straps
-Sizes available: Standard & XL
-316 Stainless Steel Marine Grade fittings
-Standard | 91cm - 116cm | 36" - 46"
-XL | 121cm - 162 cm | 48" - 64"
In what conditions should I use the R-Vest?
The Northern Diver R-Vest is designed as a lifting safety vest when diving. We advise it's used as an equipment tool consolidation device in the Commercial Diving Sector. Our R-Vest is an recovery harness, cylinder attachment, quick-release weight belt and work vest all-in-one. You can use it to lower a diver into the water, or in an emergency, recover a get diver from the water - even if they're unconscious too. Use in alternative scenarios is the decision and responsibility of the wearer.
How should I clean my R-Vest?
To keep your R-Vest in the best condition possible, we advise that you rinse it in fresh water and then let it dry naturally after each use. If you need to, you can also clean it with warm soapy water, however, it must then be thoroughly rinsed with fresh water and then left to dry naturally afterwards. You should always store your R-Vest in a clean dry environment, we advise you keep your R-Vest away from sources of direct sunlight or heat.
What sizes does Northern Diver's R-Vest come in?
The R-Vest comes in two sizes, Standard and XL. Standard is for users with a chest size of between 91cm to 116cm (or 38” to 46”). We advise the maximum weight of the user for a Standard R-Vest is 15 stone (or 95.5kgs). The user of the Extra Large (XL) R-Vest will have a chest size between 121cm - 162cm (or 48" - 64"). Their maximum weight should be 21 stone (133.5kgs).
What does EN 15333-1:2008 tested actually mean?
For our R-Vest we've had it independently tested against the European Standard 15333-1 clauses 5.11.2 (Lifting Harness), 6.2 (Visual Inspection), 6.8 (Lifting Harness), 6.9 (Sea Water Resistance), 6.13.3 (Basic Testing) and 6.13.4 (Functional Testing when Diving).
This means our R-Vest:
- Can be used to lift an unconscious diver from the water.
- Doesn't need to be removed along with any diving gear attached to it in an emergency.
- Has lifting points on both the back and front.
- Each lifting point (and the adjustment buckles) can withstand a tensile force of 9,000N.
- Had no tearing or indication of failure when subjected to a tensile force of 9,000N for 5 minutes in a direction of lift on each lifting point.
- Passed a sea water resistance test. This test means it was submerged for 8 hours in seawater and then, without being cleaned in fresh water, left in air for 16 hours with a relative humidity of no more than 75%, all at a temperature of between 15°C - 25°C. This cycle is completed four times for the test.
The testing our R-Vest underwent was done independently from Northern Diver. The tests were performed using at least six test subjects working in pairs as an observer/operator and as a wearer. They tested the security of the fastenings and couplings, the R-Vest comfort and checked that there were no sharp edges or protrusions that could injure a diver wearing it. They checked how the R-Vest functioned out of the water and made sure that it was easy to don and doff the R-Vest without help on land - this included the adjusting of all the straps.
Please note: the R-Vest comes with R-Vest Pockets, however, we sell these separately so you can purchase spares or replacements in case you lose them during a quick-release.
