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Diving Equipment Recalled by Halcyon Manufacturing Due to Drowning Hazard

October 4, 2009 By Mike

All Halcyon BCDs and lift devices are being recalled due to defective OPVs

Scuba diving equipment manufacturer Halcyon has announced a recall of defective BCDs, surface marker buoys (SMBs), lift bags, diver alert markers (DAMs), surf shuttle and diver lift raft inflatable devices. The over pressure valves (OPVs) in the diving equipment could fail allowing the buoyancy compensator devices (BCDs) and the diver lift inflatable devices to leak, posing a drowning hazard to divers.

There have been no reports of injuries or deaths due to the defective Halcyon diving equipment.

The recall affects the following Halcyon scuba diving equipment:

  • Halcyon Explorer, Eclipse, CCR35, Evolve and Pioneer Buoyancy Compensator Devices (BCDs)
  • Halcyon Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs)
  • Halcyon Lift Bags
  • Halcyon Diver Alert Markers (DAMs)
  • Halcyon Surf Shuttle and Diver Lift Raft Inflatable Devices

("Halcyon" is printed on all scuba diving
equipment affected by the recall)

Owners of Halcyon scuba diving equipment affected by the recall should stop using the defective equipment IMMEDIATELY and and return it to an authorized Halcyon distributor or dealer for a free inspection and, if necessary, free replacement of the overpressure valve spring.

halcyon

From the CPSC:

RECALL: Halcyon Diving Equipment

October 10, 2009

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: Halcyon Diving Equipment

Units: About 20,300

Manufacturer: Halcyon Manufacturing Inc., of High Springs, Fla.

Hazard: The over pressure valves (OPVs) in the diving equipment could fail allowing the buoyancy compensator devices (BCDs) and the diver lift inflatable devices to leak, posing a drowning hazard to divers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves Halcyon diving equipment including the Halcyon Explorer, Eclipse, CCR35, Evolve and Pioneer Buoyancy Compensator Devices (BCDs) and Halcyon Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs), Lift Bags, Diver Alert Markers (DAMs) Surf Shuttle and Diver Lift Raft Inflatable Devices. "Halcyon" is printed on the diving equipment.

Sold at: Diving equipment retailers and distributors from January 2006 through December 2008 for between $350 and $450 for the buoyancy compensator devices (BCDs) and between $50 and $275 for the inflatable devices.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using recalled diving equipment and return it to an authorized Halcyon distributor or dealer for a free inspection and, if necessary, free replacement of the overpressure valve spring.

Consumer Contact: : For more information, contact Halcyon at (800) 425-2966 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, visit the firm's Web site at www.halcyon.net/opv-recall, or email the firm at techservices@halcyon.net

Filed Under: Equipment Recalls Tagged With: ,

Mares Nemo Air Dive Computer

July 7, 2009 By Mike

mares_nemo_air_dive_computer_510440

Mares Nemo Air Dive Computer

Manufacturer Mares has announced a recall of defective Nemo Air dive computers.  The O-ring on the Nemo Air quick connector can fail, causing the dive computer to start leaking breathing gas, which poses a drowning hazard to the user.

According to Mares, "...this issue is covered by the EN250 norm, which requires a 0.3mm opening in the high- pressure hose fitting. As a result, the hose is designed to ensure a slow enough gas release; which should allow the diver to complete a safe emergency ascent."

The recall affects the following Mares Nemo Air dive computers:

  • 414158 - Nemo Air dive computer
  • 414159 - Nemo Air w/compass
  • 44200771 - HP hose w/quick connector Nemo Air (spare part)
  • 44200770 - Quick connector assembly female Nemo Air (spare part)

Owners of Mares Nemo Air dive computers affected by the recall should stop using the defective equipment IMMEDIATELY and contact an authorized Mares dealer or service center to have the defective O-ring replaced.

For more information, go to www.mares.com

Filed Under: Equipment Recalls Tagged With:

Poseidon Besea W50 Diving Wings

June 23, 2009 By Mike

poseidon_wings_recall_510556poseidon_wings_recall_510350

Poseidon Besea W50 Diving Wings (above) and inner bladder (below)

Manufacturer Poseidon of Sweden and U.S. distributors Poseidon West, of West Lake Village, Calif., Poseidon Central, of Conroe, Texas, and American Divers Division, of Alexandria Bay, N.Y., have announced a recall of defective Poseidon Besea W50 Diving Wings. The inner bladder located inside the diving wing can break, causing the wing to fail to operate as a floating/buoyancy device, which poses a drowning hazard to the user.

Poseidon has received 15 reports of inner bladders breaking. No injuries have been reported.

The recall affects the following Poseidon Besea W50 Diving Wings: that contain inner bladders with batch number 5445:

Inner bladder with batch number 54

poseidon_wings_recall_510350a

Tab on the Inner Bladder Showing the "5445" batch number

Owners of Poseidon Besea W50 Diving Wings affected by the recall should stop using the defective equipment IMMEDIATELY and contact Poseidon to receive a replacement inner bladder.

From the CPSC:

RECALL: Poseidon Besea W50 Diving Wings

June 23, 2009

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: Besea W50 Diving Wings with Poseidon Inner Bladders

Units: About 300

Distributor: Poseidon West, of West Lake Village, Calif., Poseidon Central, of Conroe, Texas, and American Divers Division, of Alexandria Bay, N.Y.

Hazard: The inner bladder located inside the diving wing can break, causing the wing to fail to operate as a floating/buoyancy device. This poses a drowning hazard to divers.

Incidents/Injuries: Poseidon has received 15 reports of inner bladders breaking. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall involves the Poseidon inner bladders with batch number 5445 sold with the Poseidon Besea W50 wings. The inner bladder is located inside the outer cover of the wing. The batch number and "Poseidon" are molded on a tab located between the "legs" of the inner bladder.

Sold at: Poseidon dealers nationwide from September 2007 through June 2008 for about $366.

Manufactured in: Sweden

Remedy: Consumers who have wings that contain the recalled inner bladders should stop using the wing immediately and contact Poseidon for a free replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Poseidon toll-free at (877) 673-4366 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or send an email to info@poseidoncentral.com

Filed Under: Equipment Recalls Tagged With:

Ambient Pressure Diving Ltd. Rebreather Hoses

March 5, 2009 By Mike

ambient_pressure_diving_rebreather_hoses_510355

Ambient Pressure Diving Ltd. rebreather hoses crimped (above) and uncrimped (below)

Manufacturer Ambient Pressure Diving Ltd., of Helston, Cornwall, United Kingdom and U.S. importer Silent Diving Systems LLC, of Center Conway, N.H., have announced a recall of defective rebreather hoses sold on Inspiration, Evolution and Evolution Plus rebreathers.  Due to the failure of the manufacturer (Ambient Pressure Diving Ltd.) to crimp the hoses, gas could leak or water could enter the rebreather unit posing a drowning hazard to the user.

The recall affects hoses with a smooth uncrimped collar and the following model numbers:

  • AP300/15 ADV Supply Hose
  • RB20/03 Oxygen Injection Hose
  • EV20/03 Oxygen Injection Hose
  • RB20/10 Buzzer Hose
  • EV11A/1 Vision Handset Hose
  • RB11A/1 Classic Handset Hose
  • RB11/B Handset Hose
  • AP300/10 ADV Hose
  • AP300/38 ADV Hose

Owners of rebreather hoses affected by the recall should stop using the equipment IMMEDIATELY and contact Silent Diving Systems to receive a replacement hose.

Hoses with eight flats on the hose collar have been crimped and are not included in the recall.

Sold by: Silent Diving Systems nationwide from January 2007 through August 2008 for about $60. Re-breathers were sold for about $10,000.

Manufactured in: England

Remedy: Consumers with the recalled hoses should immediately stop using the hoses and contact Silent Diving Systems to receive a replacement hose. All known purchasers have been contacted directly by Silent Diving Systems regarding the recall.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Silent Diving Systems toll-free at (877) 336-4077 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.silentdiving.com

Filed Under: Equipment Recalls Tagged With:

Pre-Dive Safety Check

January 11, 2009 By Mike

How to perform a Buddy Check

One of the most important aspect of every dive is to perform a pre-dive safety check, which is known as a buddy check. Pre-dive safety checks are taught by most certifying organizations. You should always perform this check with your buddy before beginning any dive.

This pre-dive safety check has a few functions: you make sure that your buddy's equipment is working as it should. You should also familiarize yourself with your buddy's equipment. this familiarization will make you aware of how to release their weights, use their deflator, and use their alternate source of air, all of which may be necessary in the event of any emergencies during the dive.

This check should always be performed once the equipment has been donned, with the exception of the mask and fins. It's ideal to perform this check while on the boat before entry or on the shore before any shore dives. If this check does slip you mind, it can be performed during decent.

This safety check is broken down into several components which are abbreviated with the acronym BWRAF. There are many mnemonics that can help you remember the steps in this safety check. You should use whatever you'll remember best. Here are some of the most common mnemonics.

  • Begin With Review And Friend
  • Because We Really Are Friends
  • Bunnies Will Run Away Fast

Buoyancy

You want to ensure your buddy's BCD is working properly.  To do this, begin by inflating their BCD.   Do not infate it complely   You will also want to deflate the BCD to ensure that the deflator is working properly.

Weights

Check your buddy's weight system.   How this performed will depend upon what weight system being used by your buddy.

  • Weight Belt: Check that your buddy's weight belt is on properly and secured.  Check that the quick release is free of obstructions and easily accessible.   Weight belts with excess length should should not be tied or tucked into the BCD or around the belt in such a way that it's difficult to perform a release.
  • Integrated Weights: Check that your buddy has their weight pockets in their BCD (with weights in them!), that they are properly secured, and that you know how to release them.   For those BC's that use Velcro for the weight pockets, make sure the Velcro is not to worn that it prevents the pockets for being properly secured.

Releases

Check that all of your buddy's releases are properly secured.  This includes, but not limited to Velcro waist bands, shoulder clips, boot straps, and etc.   Many BCDs will have a chest and stomach clips. It's a good idea to touch each clip as it is checked.  Remember to check the tank strap and clip as well. You can do this by placing one hand on the bottom of the tank and the other on the first stage regulator and trying to move the tank up and down to see if the moves up and down in the secured tank strap.   If the tanks slides while doing this, resecure the tank.   It is often a good idea to wet the strap before securing it to the tank.

Air

Check that your buddy's air is turned all the way on and half a turn back. Have your buddy take one or more breaths from their regulator while you watch their SPG. While you look at the SPG, ensure that the tank is full (approximately 200 bar or 3000 psi) and that the needle doesn't dip as they breathe. If the needle dips this is a sign that the air isn't turned all the way on or there is a problem with the regulator. You should also test your buddy's alternate air source by taking two breaths from it.

Final OK

Check that your buddy has all other necessary equipment such as mask and fins. Ask your buddy if they're ready to go and if all is ok you're ready to dive.

Filed Under: Dive Tips, Safety Tagged With:
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