FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Originally issued January 30, 2002, Revised June 5, 2003
Release # 02-093 |
Custom Buoyancy contact Number: (310) 328-1077
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Mark Ross, (301) 504-7076 |
Note: Company phone number change.
CPSC, Custom Buoyancy Inc. Announce Recall of Scuba Diving Devices
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Custom Buoyancy Inc. (CBI), of Torrance, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 7,700 overpressure valves (OPV) used with buoyancy control systems. The overpressure valve can stick in the open position, posing a drowning hazard to divers.
CPSC and CBI have received three reports of the valves sticking open. No injuries have been reported.
The recalled overpressure valve is installed on buoyancy control systems with the following brand names: Diving Unlimited International (DUI), International Divers, Ocean Management Systems, Rip Tide and Steam Machines. Brand names and logos are printed on the epaulettes and pockets. These buoyancy control systems come in two versions, a jacket style and a wings style. The date code, printed on an instructional label sewn to the buoyancy control system, is the first four numbers after the brand name abbreviation. The first two numbers indicate the month and the second two numbers indicate the year. The recall includes date codes from October 2000 through June 2001. Valves with an asterisk below the serial number are not involved in this recall.
Authorized CBI distributors sold the buoyancy control systems with the overpressure valves nationwide from October 2000 through November 2001 for about $590.
Consumers should stop using the buoyancy control systems with these overpressure valves immediately and contact the CBI dealer where purchased for a free replacement valve. For more information, consumers can contact CBI at (310) 328-1077 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. Consumers also can visit the firm's web site at www.custombuoyancy.com.
Diving Unlimited International (DUI) Inc., an authorized CBI dealer, recalled buoyancy control systems with these overpressure valves in December 2001.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (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 your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov
CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @OnSafety or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.