1   First, ensure that you have all the components needed. The package should include a front piece, a back piece, 2 internal (elastic) cummerbunds, 2 external cummerbunds, a pull cable, a chest pull pillow, a dacron retaining loop with attached metal washer, and 2 shoulder pads.

 2   Begin by placing the front portion with the inside facing up. Separate the velcro closure along the seam at "A" to allow access to the grommets along the bottom. Unwind the pull cable and start it into the front at the middle grommet as shown. Route the cable to your weak (nonshooting) side, either left or right, to the next grommet. The picture shows installation for a righthanded shooter.

 3   Route the cable upwards inside the front liner towards the area near where the front of the armpit would be (approximately). Feed through the grommet leading to the outside front of the front vest portion as shown in the picture. At this point make sure that the cable is fully fed through the front vest portion and all slack is loosely taken up.

 4   Run the cable through the loop on the chest pull pillow and feed it through the channels on the side and shoulder stays. This completes assembly on the front for the time being. You will now switch to the back half.

 5   Now switch to the back half of the vest. Place it with the inside facing up. Separate the velcro closure along the bottom and locate the grommet underneath the cordura pieces in the lower center part of the vest. You will need to work by feel here. Unsnap closure at "A," flip vest over, and lift the velcro panel that covers the grommet. Feed the dacron retention loop from underneath out through the grommet as shown and pull tight. The metal washer on the dacron loop should be flush against the grommet.

 6   Feed the grommeted end of one of the internal (elastic) cummerbunds through 3-inch webbing slot. Pull through and feed dacron loop throught the appropriate grommet, which is chosen to produce the correct fit. You may need to experiment with this. Repeat with the other internal cummerbund on the other side.

 7   Feed the grommeted end of one of the external cummerbunds over the internal cummerbund and through the main sleeve. Pull through and feed dacron loop throught the appropriate grommet, which is, again, chosen to produce the correct fit. You may need to experiment with this. Repeat on other side with the second external cummerbund.

 8   Now orient the front half of the vest to feed the shoulder strap extensions through the shoulder slot on the back part of the vest down to the dacron loop. Start with the strap without the cable. The strap holding the cable goes on last. Select the appropriate grommet for fit and pull the dacron loop through. Repeat this procedure for the strap and extension containing the pull cable. Pull the dacron loop through the appropriate grommet and then feed the free end of the pull cable through the loop.

 9   Pull slack from release cable, but don't jam it tight. Feed free end into excess retention slot as shown.

 10   Wrap shoulder pads with the padded side down and secure the velcro panels. Tuck ends into shoulder extension slots. You may find attaching the shoulder pads to be more easily accomplished if done in conjunction with step 9. The vest is now assembled for use.

Notes:

(1) You would normally place a ceramic plate and soft body armor in the front and rear vest portions prior to assembly. This is not illustrated here, please refer to the Eagle Industries' brochure that accompanies the vest.

(2) As noted, some adjustment for fit may be required after assembly.

(3) Be sure to test the release cable after assembly. Pulling on the chest pull pillow should pull the release cable out of the dacron loop and allow the cummerbunds and front and back portions of the vest to fall off your body with little or no effort on your part.