An apparatus is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including an annular seal (e.g., an o-ring) and a backup ring to provide support to the annular seal. A gland is provided to accommodate the backup ring and the annular seal. The gland has a contact surface which is adapted to contact a corresponding contact surface of the backup ring upon inserting the backup ring into the gland. The diameters of the contact surfaces of the backup ring and gland are sized such that the contact surface of the backup ring radially interferes with the contact surface of the gland, thereby urging the backup ring out of the gland. A retention mechanism, such as interlocking grooves, protrusions, ridges, notches, slots, or the like may be provided in the backup ring and gland respectively to prevent the backup ring from completely exiting the gland.