A backplate system for use with a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) comprising: a backplate operable to attach to a cylinder; a shoulder plate operable to attach to the backplate, wherein the shoulder plate comprises one or more slots; a waist plate operable to attach to the backplate, wherein the waist plate comprises one or more slots; a harness system comprising one or more straps (310 and 312); one or more connectors operable to attach to the one or more straps (310 and 312) and operable to fit into the slots of the shoulder plate and the waist plate, wherein the connector comprises: a main body operable to fit through the slot, and operable to be secured into a portion of the slot, wherein the slot comprises an opening and a half-slot, wherein the opening extends through the shoulder plate or waist plate, and wherein the half-slot extends approximately halfway into the thickness of the opening; a base operable to attach to the strap (310 and 312); a piston attached to the main body operable to move and rotate with the main body, wherein the piston fits within a portion of the base; and a spring located between a portion of the piston and a portion of the base, wherein the main body fits upward through the opening, rotates approximately 90 degrees, and fits downward into the half-slot, and wherein the spring biases the piston downward, thereby biasing the main body into the half-slot. a backplate operable to attach to a cylinder; a shoulder plate operable to attach to the backplate, wherein the shoulder plate comprises one or more slots; a waist plate operable to attach to the backplate, wherein the waist plate comprises one or more slots; a harness system comprising one or more straps (310 and 312); one or more connectors operable to attach to the one or more straps (310 and 312) and operable to fit into the slots of the shoulder plate and the waist plate, wherein the connector comprises: a main body operable to fit through the slot, and operable to be secured into a portion of the slot, wherein the slot comprises an opening and a half-slot, wherein the opening extends through the shoulder plate or waist plate, and wherein the half-slot extends approximately halfway into the thickness of the opening; a base operable to attach to the strap (310 and 312); a piston attached to the main body operable to move and rotate with the main body, wherein the piston fits within a portion of the base; and a spring located between a portion of the piston and a portion of the base, wherein the main body fits upward through the opening, rotates approximately 90 degrees, and fits downward into the half-slot, and wherein the spring biases the piston downward, thereby biasing the main body into the half-slot. a main body operable to fit through the slot, and operable to be secured into a portion of the slot, wherein the slot comprises an opening and a half-slot, wherein the opening extends through the shoulder plate or waist plate, and wherein the half-slot extends approximately halfway into the thickness of the opening; a base operable to attach to the strap (310 and 312); a piston attached to the main body operable to move and rotate with the main body, wherein the piston fits within a portion of the base; and a spring located between a portion of the piston and a portion of the base, wherein the main body fits upward through the opening, rotates approximately 90 degrees, and fits downward into the half-slot, and wherein the spring biases the piston downward, thereby biasing the main body into the half-slot.