What Is BackTow Technology?

What is BackTow Technology?

BackTow is a simple concept, a harness that tows you backwards through the water instead of forwards.

All conventional lifejacket harnesses have a fixed attachment point on the front of the jacket. This can be clipped to a safety line to ensure that the user is kept (ideally on) but at least with the boat if they fall over. With the harness point attached at the front a user in the water is dragged in a forward facing position by their safety line as shown below:

This forward facing position makes breathing and self recovery almost impossible as the casualty is buffeted by the torrent of oncoming water. Even at speeds as low as 4kts tests have shown that breathing can become impossible and the chances of secondary drowning are significantly increased. By towing a person in a backwards position the face is turned away from the oncoming water, greatly improving the chances of survival. Now in a stable BackTow position with the head clear of the water, the need for a instant recovery is reduced buying precious seconds for those on the boat.

How Does BackTow Work?

In the stowed position a BackTow lifejacket looks and functions just like any other jacket you might have used, You still clip your safety line to the attachment located on the front (see Figure 2). This attachment point is as strong as any other lifejacket and can be used in the same way.

If you enter the water the lifejacket will automatically inflate (if using a standard automatic jacket, for manual jackets the manual toggle will need to be pulled for inflation). When the bladder is inflated the BackTow handle will be available located over the left bladder lobe and attached to the Oral tube (see fig 2)

If you can self recover there is no need to pull the handle, but if you being dragged alongside the boat simply grab the BackTow handle and pull. This will release the harness point from the front of the jacket, up and over the left shoulder, and into the BackTow Seated position.

BackTow forms a strong structural A Frame behind the users head. This can be used as a lifting and recovery strop, allowing a halyard of multi purchase to be attached to lift the person from the water quickly and safely.

See BackTow in Action

This is a video showing an introduction into Backtow and how the system works in a real life setting.

History Of Backtow

TeamO was created after a fatal accident in the UK highlighted a failing in conventional Harness technology. If clipped to a moving vessel a conventional safety harness will drag the user in a face down position, with their head pushed into the oncoming water. This position leaves little chance for self-recovery and reduces the survival time of a casualty in the water to a handful of minutes.

After four years of development, testing and patent applications, the design was recognized and gained its ISO approval. The patented BackTow lifejacket harness was launched in Spring 2017. The first versions of the TeamO BackTow lifejackets received widespread acclaim, winning Innovation of the year and being shortlisted for multiple design awards and described as 'revolutionary' by one of the industry's leading publications.

BackTow is now the industry leader in harness technology, providing a complete solution for casualties entering the water from a moving vessel, towing and then being recovered.

Very Comfortable

I looked at a lot of different life vest and found these to be the most comfortable life jackets and with the option of being towed correctly was on obvious choice. Been very happy with the life jackets.

Offshore 170N

Fits very well, I was able to make all the adjustments necessary to fit me. The instructions are good so read them. I have not deployed the jacket yet. I also have worked out how to attach the MOB1. The tether works as expected and attaches to the jack lines with the clips. All in all, I am very pleased and recommend buying this life jacket.

Good choice

Would prefere any EU shop, customs and Vat procedure is boring :)

Excellent lifejacket

I purchased this life jacket in January and, although I have (fortunately) not had the opportunity to use it in a real emergency, I have used it several times. The materials and workmanship are excellent and the jacket is very comfortable to wear, despite being an offshore jacket, which is bulkier than many other “coastal” items (the jacket has a light, a built-in hood and can easily accommodate a PLB). For a more in-depth analysis, look for the Yachting Monthly review published in 2022.
There are only two “issues”: the backtow system does not appear to be all that easy to be repacked if the jacket has been activated and the system deployed. The manual is not very clear on this and the videos on the TemO website refer to older and different versions. I hope TeamO will address this by publishing an updated video for the current system. Otherwise, it would probably be a wise idea to open the jacket and record a video showing how the system is packed for future reference.
The second issue is due to Brexit: if, like me, you plan to buy this life jacket from abroad, be prepared to pay very high customs duties. It's not TeamO's fault, clearly (they seem to try to keep prices low), but if you end up paying 30% more than the listed price, other products might become more interesting. Of course, you'll have to give up the backtow system as TeamO is the only manufacturere to offer a similar solution.

I had a chance to use my new vest this October on 14 days offshore sail. It fits very well no problem to wear it many hours and the materials seems good and durable. Considering my heigh almost 2m i would appreciate even longer straps between legs (always easy to shorten than other way). I haven't fall over yet but once it happens, I will write the second part of review.

What Is BackTow Technology?

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