What is the acronym commonly used to remember the safety check you should perform before backing?

If you are new to the driving profession, you will quickly find that maneuvering a vehicle with a trailer is a difficult skill to learn. The skill of safely backing your truck and trailer will eventually improve to the point where backing will seem second nature.

Regardless, no matter if you are learning to get your commercial driver’s license or are a veteran driver, backing is always going to be dangerous because you cannot see everything behind your vehicle.

Backing accidents happen frequently and are almost always due to a driver error that could have been prevented.

Below are 12 tips to help your approach backing maneuvers safely.

Types of Backing Techniques

Before we get into the tips in safely backing your truck and trailer, let us highlight five different types of backing techniques.

When you are first trained in driving a truck and trailer you will be taught at least five kinds of backing maneuvers that go from simple to complex.

These backing maneuvers are:

  1. Straight line backing
  2. Alley dock backing
  3. Parallel parking
  4. Sight side backing, and
  5. Blind side backing

Straight-line backing is the simplest maneuver technique to learn and essential for the other backing techniques.

Alley dock backing involves backing while turning into a space that is 90 degrees to the tractor and occurs at loading docks when the driver must back in from off the street or between two vehicles.

Parallel parking, like when parallel parking your car,involves backing into a space along a curb or dock and is more difficult to learn with a tractor-trailer.

Sight side backing is backing toward the left side of the vehicle where the driver can see the intended trailer path. Sight side backing is preferred as the driver has maximum visibility.

Blind side backing is backing toward the right side of the vehicle where the driver has limited visibility and can only see where he or she is going in the truck’s rear-view mirrors. Blind-side backing is more dangerous than sight side backing and should be avoided whenever possible.

12 Tips In Safely Backing Your Truck and Trailer

All backing maneuvers have the potential to become dangerous and should be avoided as much as possible. To eliminate backing your trailer, plan to park your vehicle in spaces you can pull through.

If you have no other choice, or are backing to a loading dock, we have four tips to remember before you begin backing:

  1. Get out of the vehicle and check to the rear
  2. Check above, under and to the sides of the vehicle
  3. Check for adequate swing clearance, and
  4. Warn others that you are backingOnce you have checked out your environment, start backing as soon as possible before new hazards appear. When doing so, remember to:  
  5. Be patient and back as slowly as possible using the lowest reverse gear
  6. Do not over-steer, as slight movement is all that is required if caught right away
  7. Use sight side backing on your left whenever possible
  8. Use your mirrors and flashers
  9. Turn off the radio and other distractions with the windows down so you can listen for noises
  10. Be aware if obstacles that can tilt the trailer, such as curbs and ramps
  11. Restart the maneuver instead of backing poorly, and
  12. Whenever possible, use a spotter when backing. Before doing so,
    • Agree on signals before backing, especially “Stop”, and
    • Make sure the spotter is in a position that the driver can see them in the truck’s rear-view mirror at all times

Remember, backing accidents happen frequently and are almost always due to driver error that could have been prevented.

Use and practice these twelve tips so you can be as safe as possible when backing and, if a backing accident does occur, you will have a better argument for the accident to be determined “not preventable.”

Want additional practice or looking to get a commercial driver’s license? Contact our CNS Driver Training Center. We offer first class, 1-on-1 training tailored to your needs and experience.

Do you have questions about our CDL training packages? Give us a call at 717-496-9145 or email us at .

This program is available for 25 points per seat. A seat is one person assigned to one course. Already have a J. J. Keller® Training account? Click here to log in. If you are a new customer, click here to learn more about Training Points.

The Driver Training Series is a collection of training programs which emphasize the essential skills necessary for safe CMV operation. This series is appropriate for all levels of drivers, from the entry-level to the veteran driver.

Truck backing counts as a very small percentage of a driver's driving time. But, the most common, and sometimes most costly, crashes or incidents in trucking involve backing. Backing incidents don't just damage trailers, buildings, and other equipment; sometimes they're fatal.

This online course is designed to help reduce the number of backing accidents by teaching drivers how to recognize the dangers of backing and provide expert-level backing procedures. It covers the proper procedures for each backing maneuver, including straight-line, alley dock, sight-side jackknife, and blind-side jackknife backing and parallel parking.

  • The eLearning course covers the following topics:
    • Dangers & Guidelines
      • Backing Dangers
      • General Backing Guidelines
    • How to Back Your Tractor-Trailer Safely
      • Steering Principles
      • Backing Maneuvers
  • After completing this course, learners will be able to:
    • Recognize the dangers of backing
    • Recall general backing guidelines
    • Apply good backing techniques and appropriate backing maneuvers based on the situation
  • Intended Audience: All drivers of vehicles that require a CDL to operate
  • Length: 20 minutes
  • Language: Available in English and Spanish
  • Copyright Date: 2019

Interested in a license to use J. J. Keller content on your LMS?
For a quote to use this training on your learning management system, contact us at or 1-800-327-6868. Learn more.

The buddy check, BWARF, is an important accident prevention procedure new divers learn during the PADI® Open Water Diver course.  But how do you remember what BWARF is?  As divers gain more experience, the buddy check is often reduced to one diver asking the other, “you good?” A simple “you good” is not enough when it comes to adventure sports.  It’s a sad fact that diver error is a leading cause of scuba diving accidents.

According to DAN, accidents are just as likely to happen to new divers compared to those certified for several years. Let’s build habits and remind each-other, it’s much easier to fix a small problem above water than to deal with a big problem underwater.  Most new divers learn a mnemonic device such as “Begin with Review and Friend” to remember the steps in a buddy check (BWARF). There are many other ways to remember the acronym, but we’ll get to those in a moment.  First, here’s a quick review of how to do a buddy check.

BWARF

B – BCD/Buoyancy-

Make sure everything stays connected and functioning. Test the inflator button and all the deflate valves. Dry suit divers should check that their inflator valve is working and ensure their deflator valves work.

It’s important to know how to adjust your buddy’s gear. If you’re unfamiliar with their equipment, ask questions. In an emergency, you’ll be glad you did.

W – Weight-

Ensure both divers have weights and that all weights are secure. Give a gentle tug on BC weight pouches to confirm they’re locked in and won’t fall out during entry. If applicable: check weight belts, rear BC weight pockets, and any other places where weights may need adjustments.

R – Releases-

First, check all releases to confirm they are secure. Then, tell your diving partner how to open the release if needed in an emergency. Releases are – tank straps, shoulder and chest straps, and belly straps. (Check to make sure there aren’t any hoses or other items positioned in a way that might prevent a diver from getting out of their equipment in an emergency.)

A – Air-

The purpose of the air step is sometimes disregarded. Taking a quick breath or two off the regulator isn’t enough. A proper air check means verifying the cylinder valve is completely open. Then taking many breaths while looking at an SPG or air-integrated computer. This ensure’s the tank valve is open, the air is available for the dive, your monitoring gauge is working, and the air tastes okay. Also, check your alternate air source and make sure your buddy knows where to locate it in an emergency.

F – Final Check-

As part of the final check, gather your gear (mask, snorkel, fins, dive light, camera, audible and visual signaling device, etc). Be sure to secure loose hoses and other objects that may dangle and damage the reef. Lastly, Do a head-to-toe check to ensure both divers are ready to go.

What is the acronym commonly used to remember the safety check you should perform before backing?

The steps described above are a generic, quick review for divers using an open circuit system. If you’re diving technical or rebreather,  you should conduct safety checks appropriate to the diving procedure.

More Ways To Remember BWARF

  • Babies With Rashes Are Fussy
  • Barf Will Really Attract Fish
  • Barry White Records Are Funky
  • Beans With Rice and Fish
  • Breathing Water Really Ain’t Fun
  • Bruce Willis Ruins/Rules All Films

Value Of BWRAF

As divers our priority is always safety.  Safety of ourselves first, then other divers, and even safety of the marine life.  We all make mistakes, because we’re all human.  By implementing this acronym in your scuba diving life, you will be doing preventative maintenance which will be checking for human and mechanical error.  If you look at DAN, they openly discuss 10 Ways To Prevent Scuba Diving Accidents, and 5/10 have to do with equipment check or equipment.  Pre-checking your equipment is the most important step so don’t forget to perform it!

How To Become Aware And Prepared

PADI offers 2 courses in particular that make a diver more prepared for any situation they face.  The PADI Rescue Diver, and the EFR course.  Rescue Diver prepares you for most situations that can occur on the surface and underwater.  When completing this course you’ll be able to conduct medical assistance during an emergency until help arrives.  EFR course is required for the Rescue Diver, but also is extremely useful by its self.  You’ll be certified in CPR & AED, and first and secondary care upon completion of this course.

Final Check (After Thoughts)

When you think about it, BWRAF, it is something you do everyday. Think about the checklist you go through before leaving your home – filling up your water bottle, taking a jacket, grabbing your phone, wallet, keys, etc. You’ve developed this leaving home procedure to ensure you’re prepared to deal with whatever situation may arise while you’re away.  Whether you’re leaving home for the day, or leaving the air-breathing world for the underwater one, it’s important to be prepared. Doing a buddy check can help make sure your dive is about having fun rather than dealing with problems.

Become a Rescue Diver to be more prepared!

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