I started this series using the same loop retainer, first built in 1981. Vector I's during mid 1986 when the Vector II was introduced. We still continue to build a few Vector II's, usually for foreign military contracts. We probably have over 25,000 Vector I and II systems use today around the world. Tens of millions of jumps have been made on loop retainers of this type.
Most Vectors have that 'tongue' facing in the right direction.
Relative Workshop has just issued a Product Safety Bulletin that calls for the removal of this loop retainer. It has been that way since the beginning of our manufacturing, 1998. When we started production, the grommet was on the underside of the tab because it seemed to lay a little better when packing. About eight months later we received a suggestion that the grommet would be less likely to snag a suspension line if it were on the top, and since that sounded pretty logical, we started installing the tab with the grommet up. About two years ago, after hearing of the incident reported by the APF, I made what I call a preemptive design change.