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5.11 Tactical® Knives Recalled Due to Laceration Hazard

December 28, 2009 By Mike
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2009
Release # 10-088		Firm’s Recall Hotline: (866) 451-1726
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

5.11 Tactical® Knives Recalled Due to Laceration Hazard

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

Name of Product: Promotional Knife

Units: About 19,000

Importer: 5.11 Tactical®, of Modesto, Calif.

Manufacturer: Spanlink International Corp.

Hazard: The knife can fail to lock into its open position, posing a cutting hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: One minor cut was reported by a store employee.

Description: The recalled folding knives, Style No. 51041019, have a black handle with a pocket clip and are approximately five inches in length when closed and seven and three-quarters inches in length when the blade is open.

Sold at: The knives were given away as a free promotional item commencing in September 2009 and ending in December 2009.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the knives immediately and either return the knives to their local 5.11 Tactical retailer or contact 5.11 Tactical directly to arrange for the return and exchange of the knives for a substitute promotional item at no cost to them.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact 5.11 Tactical Customer Service at (866) 451-1726 or visit the firm’s Web site at www.511tactical.com

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.

Filed Under: Equipment Recalls Tagged With:

Scuba Regulators Recalled by Cressi Due to Risk of Drowning

December 28, 2009 By Mike
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 23, 2009
Release # 10-092		Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 338-9143
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
HC Media Contact: (613) 957-2983

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.

Filed Under: Equipment Recalls Tagged With:

SI Tech Recalls Diving Suit Hoses Due to Drowning Hazard

October 14, 2009 By Mike

SI Tech Recalls Diving Suit Hoses Due to Drowning Hazard; One Death Reported

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

Name of Product: Diving Air Hose for Dry Suits

Units: About 65,000

Manufacturer: SI Tech AB, of Brastad, Sweden

Hazard: The hose contains an insert that can dislodge during diving and restrict air flow to the diver, posing a drowning hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: SI Tech has received six reports of hose inserts dislodging, including one that was involved in the death of a diver in Los Angeles, Calif.

Description: This recall involves a dry suit inflation hose that connects a diver’s dry suit to the air supply and allows for the pumping of air into the suit to set up a positive pressure arrangement to help keep it watertight. The hose contains an air flow restricting insert that may be either black, blue or green in color. The batch code is stamped on the threaded metal end of the hose. They were sold with dry suits and also sold separately. Contact SI Tech for a list of batch codes included in this recall or visit the firm’s Web site, www.sitech.se

Sold at: Diving equipment retailers and distributors nationwide from July 2006 through February 2009 for about $45.

Manufactured in: Sweden

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using diving equipment that contains the recalled low pressure inflation hoses and contact SI Tech for the location of an authorized dealer for a free repair which involves removal of the hose insert, or to receive instructions on how to repair the hose.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact SI Tech at (877) 348-3529 anytime, visit www.sitech.se, or email the firm at recall@sitech.se

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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.

Filed Under: Equipment Recalls Tagged With: ,

Guardian Full-Face Diving Masks Recalled

October 7, 2009 By Mike

Guardian Full-Face Diving Masks Recalled by Ocean Technology Due to Visor Separation Hazard

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: Guardian Full-Face Masks

Units: About 900

Manufacturer: Undersea Systems International Inc., dba Ocean Technology Systems, of Santa Ana, Calif.

Hazard: If significant pressure is applied vertically to the top and bottom of the visor clamp, the clear plastic visor may dislodge causing the mask to flood.

Incidents/Injuries: Ocean Technology Systems has received three reports of visors dislodging. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the Guardian full-face mask which is a scuba diving mask that incorporates the second stage regulator into the mask allowing it to cover the diver’s full face.

Sold by: Direct sales and diving equipment retailers nationwide from March 2009 through August 2009 for $800.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the diving masks and contact Ocean Technology Systems to receive a free repair. Ocean Technology Systems is providing consumers stainless steel clamps to secure the plastic visor.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Ocean Technology Systems toll-free at (877) 270-1984 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.otscomm.com. Consumers also can email the firm at OTSrecall@otscomm.com

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From the CPSC:

Guardian Full-Face Diving Masks Recalled by Ocean Technology Due to Visor Separation Hazard

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: Guardian Full-Face Masks

Units: About 900

Manufacturer: Undersea Systems International Inc., dba Ocean Technology Systems, of Santa Ana, Calif.

Hazard: If significant pressure is applied vertically to the top and bottom of the visor clamp, the clear plastic visor may dislodge causing the mask to flood.

Incidents/Injuries: Ocean Technology Systems has received three reports of visors dislodging. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the Guardian full-face mask which is a scuba diving mask that incorporates the second stage regulator into the mask allowing it to cover the diver’s full face.

Sold by: Direct sales and diving equipment retailers nationwide from March 2009 through August 2009 for $800.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the diving masks and contact Ocean Technology Systems to receive a free repair. Ocean Technology Systems is providing consumers stainless steel clamps to secure the plastic visor.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Ocean Technology Systems toll-free at (877) 270-1984 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.otscomm.com. Consumers also can email the firm at OTSrecall@otscomm.com

Note: Health Canada’s press release can be seen at: http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=859

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.

Filed Under: Equipment Recalls Tagged With: ,

In Case of Emergency – The Five Minute Neuro Exam.

October 6, 2009 By Shannon

Michael and I have been diving for years without incurring or observing any serious accidents taking place.  We follow all the rules, as we have a strong aversion to the possibility of getting a case of the bends.   Even when obeying EVERY rule, however, a person may be physiologically susceptible to, or just be plain unlucky enough, to develop symptoms caused by breathing air at depth.  If there is a diver who surfaces, or exits the water with complaints that lead you to believe he may have suffered a dive related incident, or if you notice someone acting strangely, be sure to incorporate The Five Minute Neuro Examination as learned in your Stress and Rescue course while awaiting the input of medical personnel.  Components of the test are as follows:

  1. Do an orientation check.   Ask the diver his/her name, the date, and to explain what happened on their dive.  Answers to these questions may demonstrate the diver has some confusion.  Even if answers to these questions are correct, make sure general conversation is making sense.
  2. Eye test-  With the head held still, have the diver follow your hand while it moves in upwards/downwards, and in side to side directions.   Your hand should be placed approximately 18 inches from the person's face.   The eyes should track smoothly in every direction and should not exhibit any jumping/bouncing around while tracking.   Look at their peripheral vision - when are they able to see an object coming around from behind their head?  Is it symmetrical on both sides?  Shine a flash light in their eyes.  Do their pupils get smaller, then larger again when the light is removed?
  3. Forehead -  With the divers eye's closed, lightly touch their forehead and face.   Are they able to feel your touch and is it the same on both sides of the face?  Check strength by trying to open the divers eyes (from above their brow)  after they have shut them tightly.  Ask them to furrow their brow.   Is there a difference between right and left brows?
  4. Observe the divers face.  Is the diver able to pucker his lips to whistle?  Is the diver able to smile?  Have them clench their jaw and  have the examiner feel if both sides of the jaw are exhibiting equal strength.  Is sensation present?
  5. Check the ears.  With the divers eyes closed, ask them if their hearing seems normal.  Hold your hands 2 feet from the divers ear.  Rub your finger and thumb together, and gradually  move closer until the diver is able to hear you.
  6. Check the gag reflex.  Does the diver's "Adam's apple" move up  and down when you ask him to swallow?
  7. Have the diver stick their tongue out.    Make a note whether the tongue comes straight out or moves to one side or the other.
  8. Check the shoulder strength.   With your hands firmly positioned on the divers shoulders, ask them to shrug their shoulders.  Is one side stronger than the other?  Do the shoulders have any sensation here?
  9. Check arm strength.  Ask the diver to squeeze your fingers.  Is one hand stronger than the other?  Have them raise their arms to chest level straight in front of them.  Push down gently, then pull on elbows with the diver attempting to  resist the motion.  Is one side stronger than the other?  Are they able to feel both their arms?
  10. With the diver's eyes closed, check sensation their chest.
  11. With diver lying flat, have diver raise and lower their legs with resistance.  Note if there differences in strength between sides.  In standing, check balance and coordination by asking them to walk in a heel-toe fashion.   Guard closely, as falls should be avoided.  Is sensation in the legs present?

If the diver is unable to complete one of these tests, indicate which test was omitted and why.

Repeat the tests every hour.  Make sure results are documented and present them to medical personnel.

Notice how the exam moves in a head to toe direction.  The body parts are highlighted, and work their way from mind/brain to the feet.  These two things may help you remember the steps of a complete exam.  Hopefully this tool is one you'll never have to utilize, but as a responsible diver, you should review and practice it frequently so that if you find a diver in need, you'll be able to step up and help.

-- Shannon

Filed Under: Dive Tips, Safety Tagged With: ,
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