R-Vest with Slider Buckles

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"

We also manufacture R-Vest Commercial Tool Bags and additional R-Vest pockets which are available to purchase separately.

We build and test Northern Diver R-Vests to last.

We updated our R-Vest design in 2018 from the former eyelet adjustment straps to our new slide lock buckle and webbing, this latest adaptation makes the R-vest more durable, they now require fewer service intervals and less maintenance. We manufacture our recovery vests from ultra-durable materials to ensure a long product life without compromising on comfort for the wearer.

The back pack style R-Vest comes with a cam band on the plastic back plate for attaching and securing your cylinder. We've packed our recovery vest full of features to make it work for you. There's a quick release R-Vest Commercial bag for tools along with quick release weight pockets to ensure a speedy exit to the surface in an emergency. The waist and crotch straps are adjustable to ensure the wearer is comfortable. We've created a loop in the webbing for carrying a hammer and all of the D-rings, buckles and metal fittings are marine grade 316 Stainless Steel so they don't rust and again ensure the longevity of your R-Vest.

Our R-Vests' one-piece jacket design means that a diver can pull the vest around them and be ready to enter the water within minutes. The fact that it's a lifting safety vest enables the wearer to be quickly extracted from the water in an emergency, using any of the front or rear D-ring lifting points, all of which are tested to a breaking strength of 1000kg. You can even lower divers into the water using the R-Vest D-rings.

Quality you can count on - EN 15333-1:2008 tested and compliant.

Because they combine high quality manufacture with dependability in emergency situations, Northern Diver R-Vests have become an incredibly popular option for commercial dive teams across the world, for a number of diverse operational applications.

Built for the most demanding of conditions, our R-Vest's high spec enables you to have confidence in its capabilities under pressure and its ability to improve diver safety. The functionality and durability of the Northern Diver R-Vest gives the diver wearing it confidence in their own safety while offering maximum comfort.

Setting a new improved standard in diving.

Our R-Vests have been developed and constructed in line with the International Consensus Standards for Commercial Diving and Underwater Operations. As with our original design, the R-vest evenly distributes the diver’s weight and the weight of his equipment across the body. The R-Vest is built for the most demanding of conditions.

With an overall breaking strength of 1000kg, the Northern Diver R-Vest surpasses the requirements set by the Association of Diving Contractors International. We took our R-Vest to an independent testing house for CE approval. Every D-ring is tested to a 1000kg lifting weight and breaking strain. Our R-Vests aren't just compliant with EN 15333-1:2008, each of the 9 D-rings on our R-Vest has been tested to this standard too, that's why we know they won't fail you in the field.

Compliance with EN regulations is slightly different from testing. The reason we've tested our R-Vests to ensure they're compliance with EN 15333-1:2008 is to give you the confidence that you can put your trust in Northern Diver's R-Vests and in us to ensure the safety of your team.

Our design reflects our understanding of the considerations that are important to you when you invest in equipment. We know that considerations of comfort and safety are of paramount importance when developing our equipment.

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.

When will I receive my order?

International Delivery Times

UK Mainland Delivery Times

UK Extended Areas Delivery Times

Please note delivery times may be extended during busy periods.

EU Areas

Please note that due to changes by HMRC, orders being shipped to EU countries will not be shipped on the same day as they are invoiced. EU Orders will now be shipped on the next working day. This only applies to E.U. orders. Domestic and Worldwide shipments remain the same.

Collect In Store?

When you go to the online checkout, you can opt to collect your items in store. We'll let you know when your order is ready for you to collect. Your order will normally be ready to collect the next working day.

Returns, refunds or exchanges?

You can return any item within 28 days of receipt for a refund, provided the item is unused, in its original packaging and in 'as new' condition.

Items will be refunded in full (less postage) if received within 28 days from the date of despatch.

THIS RETURNS POLICY DOES NOT AFFECT YOUR STATUTORY RIGHTS. DETAILS OF WHICH ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU OR CONSUMER DIRECT.

We aim to deal with all returns and exchanges on the day they arrive, however please allow longer during peak periods.

You can return the item(s) by dropping them off in store or by returning the item(s) by post. We do not insist on a specific courier service for the return, so please use the most economical or appropriate method for returning the item(s).

Northern Diver (Int) Ltd
Appley Lane North
Appley Bridge
Wigan
Lancashire
WN6 9AE

If an item becomes faulty after a period of time then please contact customer services (01257 254 444 or [email protected]) prior to returning the item. We will either repair or replace the item at our discretion.