Doug Ritter Essentials™ Aviator Survival Vest™

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Doug Ritter Essentials Aviator Survival Vest G2 Shown with optional RSK™ Mk3-G2 fixed blade knife and customer-supplied PLB.

As I tell pilots time and time again, "if it isn't with you, it can't save you™." Carrying your essential survival gear in a vest is more comfortable, less cumbersome and more convenient than stuffing your pockets with gear. Slip it on when you take your seat, take it off and drape it on the seat when you arrive; no muss, no fuss. Your Doug Ritter Essentials™ Aviator Survival Vest™ ensures that if you ever have to exit the aircraft quickly in an emergency, all your most critical survival gear is already with you. Even if you don't get the larger aircraft survival kit out of the aircraft, you at least have the minimum survival supplies and equipment to survive and signal for rescue.

I discontinued building my original Essentials™ Aviator Survival Vest™ when the vest that I modified for my use was discontinued. To date I have not found a workable off-the-shelf replacement and the cost of a short run of vests is prohibitive. Military surplus vests are available which, while not as inexpensive, are designed for purpose. I now offer a "Generation 2" version of my Essentials™ Aviator Survival Vest™ based on the U.S. military CMU/CWU-33 AIRSAVE vest. One advantage it offers is that is it constructed of Nomex and thus is extremely fire resistant. Additionally, with its MOLLE pouches, it is also expandable and you can move pouches around to suit. On the downside, it is more bulky and weighs a bit more. One size fits most, however, if you are very slim or small, this may not be as comfortable as for someone a bit larger, but a decent seamstress or tailor can fix that by trimming excess material.

These CMU-33 vests are generally available on eBay for prices that range from around $150 to a bit over $400. What's available varies from week to week. While I occasionally have one in stock, in most cases the client will purchase one from eBay and have it shipped to me for assembly (see below for links). This provides the lowest possible cost because I don't have to add anything for my handling of the purchase or the cost of keeping them in stock. When the time comes, contact me to see if I have one in stock or to get my shipping address. If you are planning to have me build you a vest, I recommend purchasing one when available as one may not be available when the time comes (see below for links).

I generally try to build these vests at the same time that I am doing a run of my Ultimate Aviator Survival Paks™ in order to keep the cost lower. If you need one urgently, please email me, but be advised there will be a premium over regular cost for a one-off build.

After you purchase the vest (and have it shipped it to me if not from my stock), my charge would be $898 plus options, paid in advance, plus Shipping (UPS GROUND - CONUS ONLY, insured which will be billed when ready to ship).

To order, provide me your Name, Shipping Address, Billing Address, Email, Cell, How you would like to pay (Check, Wire Transfer or Zelle) and Options desired (see below). I will then provide you an invoice to pay.

At a minimum, the CMU-33 vest must include three General Purpose (Small) Pockets (pouches) and one Radio (Large) Pocket (technically a "radio pocket") or 2 additional GP pockets. If you desire the fixed blade option (below), you will need the Knife Pocket (which integrates a leather sheath with protective metal point guard). I currently have the Knife Pocket in stock for $46. The eBay link I provided also sometimes includes pouches separately if needed.

I sometimes havre one of these New Old Stock (NOS) vests in stock to build a vest for a customer. Conact me for availability and price.

• Doug Ritter Essentials Aviator Survival Vest G2 Shown with optional RSK™ Mk3-G2 fixed blade knife in pouch.

  1 x Pocket Survival Kit including Doug Ritter Survival Instruction Sheet (Includes Firestarter, Tinder, Signal Mirror, Whistle, Compass and much more - Click for contents list
• 12 x Stormproof Matches and Striker, w/ Instructions in Match Safe
• 6 x Spark-Lite Tinder-Quik Tinder (additional to what is included in the PSK - vacuum packaged)
• 6 x Katadyn MP-1 Water Purification Tablets w/ D.R. Instructions for Use (added to PSP)
• 1 x Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .3 Medical Kit
• 1 x Doug Ritter Special Edition MkII Photon Freedom Micro-Light w/ Cap Clip (click for details)
• 1 x Secure-switching Dual CR2032-powered Headlamp (model depends on availability) (vacuum packaged)
• 1 x SOL Emergency Blanket XL 1(2)-Person Poly Survival Blanket/Shelter (vacuum packaged)
• 50 ft. High Strength Utility Cord – 200+ lb. test (vacuum packaged)
• 4 x Water Ration Packages, 4.225 fl. oz. USCG Approved (vacuum packaged)
• 1 x 1-Liter Flexible Water Bottle
• 1 x Toilet Tissue (vacuum packaged)
• 4 x Insect Repellent Towelettes, 30% DEET (vacuum packaged)
• 4 x Suncreen Packets SPF 40-50 (dependant on availability - vacuum packaged)
• 1 x Lip Balm SPF 40-50 (dependant on availability - vacuum packaged)
• 1 pr. Hand Warmers (vacuum packaged)
• 1 pr. Gloves - nylon knit with nitrile coated palms (vacuum packaged)
• 1 x Greatland Laser Rescue Laser Light w/ waterproof D.R. Instructions for Use (vacuum packaged)
• 1 x Doug Ritter RSK® Mk1-G2 Folding Utility/Survival Knife (click for details)
• 1 x Leatherman Wave+ Multi-Tool
• 1 x Illustrated Instruction Manual for the Vest

Doug Ritter reserves the right to substitute components of equal or better capability at his discretion.

Options:

Strongly Recommended: Replace RSK® Mk1-G2 folder with RSK® Mk3-G2 fixed Blade. My RSK® Mk3-G2 fixed blade can replace my full-size RSK® Mk1-G2 folder included as standard with the vest. The RSK® Mk3-G2 fits in the Knife Pocket sheath and adds about 6.5 ounces with the sheath. This is how I typically outfit this military vest when I can find that sheath: +$75 (For a vest without a sheath and if none are available on eBay, I have a few knife sheaths in stock which will add $46 to the cost of adding the RSK® Mk3-G2).

Upgrade: Greatland Laser Green Laser Flare from standard Greatland Laser Red Rescue Laser Light - provides 50% or more greater range and more noticeable flash: $130

Upgrade: AMK Ultralight/Watertight .5 Medical Kit from standard AMK .3 Medical Kit: $25

Option: Picaridin Insect Repellant Towelettes to replace DEET Towelettes: +$10 (Note that these are not as effective as DEET in my opinion, but some folks don't care to use DEET and Picaridin seems to be the most effective option.)

There is a dedicated Small Pocket to fit your own compact Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or Survival Emergency Notification Device (SEND: Globalstar SPOT, Garmin inReach, etc.). If you prefer to carry both, which I always recommend, you ideally should get another Small Pocket, but it isn't essential. If you don't already own one, a compact PLB or SEND will run you from $250 - $600, depending on what model you go with. I can certainly get one for you, but as I don't get a discount unless I order a substantial quantity, I have to add 10% to the cost. If you'd like to discuss your options as to what works distress signaling device would work best for you, feel free to contact me.

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URL: http://www.DougRitter.com/dr_essentials_vest_g2.htm
First Published on: January 24, 2023
Revision: 05 November 12, 2024

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