Instructions for using your Wingman Harness

Proper orientation of the harness is with the Wingman Harness name tape on the LEFT side of the torso.  Note: there are no leg straps on a standard unit, only shoulder, chest, and waist straps.  Leg straps and chest expansion straps are additional accessories.

Fitting Instructions: Adjusting the fit on your Wingman Harness is pretty simple and once the proper fit is obtained it should be maintained unless the individual grows or you use it on a different person. Always readjust for any additional users or if you are adding or removing layers of clothing used under the harness. If it does loosen inadvertently, please be sure to readjust the fit prior to continued  use. The intended age range for the small harness is 3-10years in a non-medical setting, and ages 2-10 for use by a trained  medical professional. The large harnesses can be used by some aged 10 years and up.

First, place the users arms thought the arm areas over the chest strap but under the shoulder straps, like putting on a coat. Next click together both front (chest and abdominal) plastic buckles to prevent the harness from falling off the user during the fitting process.  Then position the octagonal shaped guide where you want it on the user.  You may need to slide it up or down on the straps so that ideally the octagonal shaped guide is in the mid upper back and the lumbar strap is resting across the lower back/upper hip region. This will give an idea of how much shoulder strap adjustment will be needed.

Locate the stainless steel buckles attached to the shoulder straps at the upper chest.  With your fingers, separate the left upper stainless steel chest buckle from the metal rectangular loop behind it and hold it firmly.  Then pull on the left upper shoulder strap with your other hand until the desired fit is obtained. The octagonal shaped guide should be where you wanted it as above.  Repeat the step on the right upper stainless steel chest buckle. Now the harness should rest properly on the shoulders and the octagonal shaped guide should be where you wanted it and the lumbar strap will rest against the user’s lower back or hips.

Next adjust the chest strap by pulling the adjustment strap tight enough to be snug, but not enough to restrict breathing.  The plastic chest buckle should be in the mid chest or wherever is most comfortable to the user.  You may slide the strap side to side as needed to ensure correct fit. (If you adjusted the shoulder straps too high, the chest strap may be pinching under the armpits, if this occurs it will be a little uncomfortable for the user. Go ahead and loosen the shoulder straps until the chest strap is resting just under the armpits in a comfortable position for the user.)

After this should be the waist adjustment.  The ideal fit is to adjust the stainless steel buckles that are over the hips (use the same process as above for the stainless steel chest/shoulder buckles) to make the lumbar strap snug against the lower back. Since the abdominal plastic buckle should already be clasped, it should snug right up to the body.  This is to pull the harness to the user and ensure it does not ride up or lift away from the user during use. We did however allow for more adjustment in the abdomen by adjusting the plastic abdomen buckle just as you would do the plastic chest buckle. This is just to bring it to the abdomen and not to cinch it down. PLEASE NOTE: The abdominal belt should not be so tight that it pulls into the abdomen as this can be unsafe to internal structures under the rib cage.

Finally, if you need to slide the octagonal shaped guide up or down on the straps to achieve the perfect fit, you should be able to do so now as needed. This should not affect the previous adjustments you made and will not ruin the fit. If you would like to do any additional tweaking to achieve a perfect fit you should be able to now.

Attaching the leg straps is pretty simple. Orientation is with the female end of either buckle toward the front. To attach the leg straps, disarticulate (disconnect) the loop and slider that is used to adjust the lumbar strap (these are the lower set of silver hardware) on both sides,
one at a time is best. Then take the sewn loop at the top of the leg strap that is sewn to the D-ring, and pass the rectangle loop of the harness through the space provided. It is easier if you turn the rectangle loop 90 degrees first. Once you have passed it over the loop and it is resting on the horizontal section of webbing between the rectangle loop and the front vertical section of webbing, you can rearticulate (reconnect) the loop and slider. Do this on each side and the leg straps are on the main harness. 

Once you have the desired fit, go ahead and gently test the harness with light resistance before using them on any heaver sporting equipment to ensure no failure of the harness is noted and that you have all buckles adjusted and the fit is comfortable. Tension should be felt through the handle/loop. If any stitching or buckles give way, do not continue using this product. Contact us and we will be happy to replace it for you at no cost.

*To disconnect and reconnect the loop and slider* (the silver metal) hardware please do the following. Simply separate the two metal pieces, turn the one with the 2 slots in it up to 45 degrees, and push it through the piece with one large rectangle hole in it. This will separate the two pieces of hardware. To reconnect them, do exactly the opposite.

Please enjoy this device. We designed and created it with a lot of thought about the quality and safety for occupational and physical therapy applications.

If you have any comments or concerns, please feel free to contact us at support@wingmanharness.com