Scuba Regulators Recalled by Cressi Due to Risk of Drowning

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Cressi Ellipse Black MC5 Regulator

Units: About 200

Distributor: Cressi-sub USA, of Westwood, N.J.

Hazard: Partial obstruction of the High Pressure (HP) port can produce an inaccurate reading on the pressure gauge, resulting in a slow descent of the needle in the pressure gauge. The inaccurate reading on the gauge poses a drowning hazard to divers.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received three reports of inaccurate pressure readings while the scuba regulators were in use. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves regulators used to control the flow of air while scuba diving, making it possible for divers to breathe under water. The recalled regulators have model name Ellipse Black MC5. Cressi MC5 and Cressi Black are printed on the regulator.

Sold at: Authorized dive shops nationwide and on the Internet from March 2009 through August 2009 for between $280 and $309.

Manufactured in: Italy

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the regulators and return them to a Cressi authorized dive shop for a free repair. Consumers can also return the product to Cressi at One Charles Street, Westwood, N.J. 07675.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Cressi at (800) 338-9143 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.cressi.com

Note: Health Canada’s press release can be found at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=924

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054. To join a CPSC e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain recall and general safety information by logging on to CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.