Back Defence Systems

[Mason McDuffie]

Has anyone had any experience with this product. I keep seeing it advertised in American Cop. I was curious if any fellow patrolmen have tried it out. Always looking to save a lil pain further down the road.

http://www.backdefensesystems.com/default.asp

[Mason McDuffie]

Huh, lots of views but no reviews. Haha, I can't even find a video on YouTube reviewing the product.

[Samuelx]

I was THIS close ->| |<- to buying some kind of suspender system before I left patrol. The way my back feels now, I wish I had gone ahead and used one (and I wasn't even in patrol all that long compared to some of the guys/gals out there!). Because of our uniform policy, my two choices would have been the one you posted OR one made by Blackhawk (link below). I hadn't made up my mind at the time but I think I would have tried the Blackhawk one first (minor tailoring required but everything hangs down smooth below beltline). Difference in weight between me going 10-8 and showering up after shift was about 35 lbs - IMO a suspender system would have definitely helped with that.

http://www.blackhawk.com/product/Ergonomic-Duty-Belt-Harness,1570,1382.htm

[Mason McDuffie]

Nice. I didn't know Blackhawk made one. It wasn't until a recent foot pursuit that my back started to ache. Or maybe it ached before and I just shrugged it off to being a beat cop. I'm not a big guy to begin with so I am constantly thinking of how I can prevent load bearing related injuries. I'll look into the Blackhawk one for sure.

[Samuelx]

Well, whatever you try, hope things work out well for ya!

[Mason McDuffie]

Thanks man. My youth is fading on me it seems.

[retired]

I wish things like this had been around when I was in patrol (1982-1997), it might have prevented all of my back surgeries and earlier than desired medical retirement. Also, in retrospect, I should have left patrol a lot earlier as I'm sure that by itself would have helped immensely.

If you are permitted to wear a nylon Sam Browne, do so as the lesser weight will help. I obtained one (Bianchi Accumold)via a dr.'s prescription (when that was still permitted obviously), but wasn't allowed to wear it in patrol by my Capt. Six months after promoting to sgt. and transferring to custody, the Dept. allowed it for everyone, but you had to purchase it. Since I worked custody, it hung in my locker and never used. It now hangs in my closet.

[mixicus]

Mason,

To deal with th eback issues, I put some effort into strength training my back. Some form of deadlifts, lower back extensions, or good mornings gets incorporated in to every week of my workouts. My back feels so much better. and I definitely notice it in my back when I miss a week. It doesn 't take much either. If I had to chose one, I would rather have a strong back than need a piece of gear.

[Petro6golf]

Soooooo glad were authorized tac vests

[IlDuche]

That concealable system looks pretty well thought out, like the guy who made it actually had to walk a footbeat. I know carrier vests are all cool looking and whatnot, but there's something to be said for leather belts and service caps. When properly distressed and worn in of course.

[islandchanel]

My partner has one and says it's the best money he ever spent

[Mason McDuffie]

Mason,

To deal with th eback issues, I put some effort into strength training my back. Some form of deadlifts, lower back extensions, or good mornings gets incorporated in to every week of my workouts. My back feels so much better. and I definitely notice it in my back when I miss a week. It doesn 't take much either. If I had to chose one, I would rather have a strong back than need a piece of gear.

Lately I have been doing more functional training instead of the glamour muscle stuff. I have not noticed an immediate difference but you are definitely hitting the nail on the head. Haha, work smarter not harder.

[Mason McDuffie]

My partner has one and says it's the best money he ever spent

Now that's the kinda endorsement I like to hear. I think I'm gonna place my order tonight after a few adult sodas to make the pain easier. Its a $200 system but I like the idea of the adjustable straps instead of the tailoring option.

[islandchanel]

He said give yourself a little extra time to get dtressedvthe first few times you use it

[rolncode3]

I had the Back Defense System - I used it for about a year (maybe year and a half). Eventually, one of the down members broke (the one closest to the duty weapon). It is a great idea and made a huge difference, but the light aluminum they use to connect the down member to the duty belt just didn't hold up. I found myself constantly adjusting everything, and the aluminum slowly bowed outwards away from my body (a near daily thing), so I would push it back in (also a near daily thing). It created a stress fracture that eventually just snapped.

It takes a LOT of getting used to, but is worth it. The first few days were not fun with the pressure on the chest. And definitely takes longer to get dressed.

Luckily, I had another pair of suspenders - just the regular type you would wear over your uniform. But I put it on over my body armor, and under my uniform shirt. I tuck as much of the shirt in as I can, and it just goes over the belt keepers. Nobody has even noticed my shirt wasn't fully tucked in unless I told them what I was doing. It's not perfect from the uniform appearance perspective, but in every other way I'm satisfied with my new setup.


Also, to be fair to the company, I have not contacted them yet about possibly fixing/replacing, so while I'm no longer using it, they may be willing to help out. Considering they put their cell phone numbers in their emails (to customers) and sign the invoice saying thank you, customer service seems to be a big focus of theirs.