Air Inlet Hose
CPSC Recall #96-063 — January 23, 1996
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 96-063 |
| Recall Date | January 23, 1996 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | Approximately 5,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| Diving supply stores sold the hose assemblies nationwide between January 1 |
| 1982 and March 31 |
| 1988 for approximately $111 each. |
Product
Air Inlet Hose
Description
Washington, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Trelleborg Viking, Inc., of Portsmouth, N.H., is announcing the voluntary recall of approximately 5,000 Viking Sport Dry Suit Air Inlet Hose Assemblies for use as scuba diving equipment. If the hose assembly is not properly seated in the air inlet valve on the diver's suit, a free-flow of air into the dry dive suit may occur. If this occurs during a dive, and a diver fails to take standard precautions, death or serious injury, including air embolism, may result. This recall follows a jury verdict that awarded damages to the spouse of a diver from Anchorage, Alaska who died while using one of the recalled hose assemblies. The recalled hose assemblies have identifying letters at the point of connection into a diver's first stage regulator. The markings consist of letters and numbers that begin with A, B, or C and end in letters A through L. Other, unmarked Viking hose assemblies sold between January 1, 1982 and March 31, 1988 are also included in this recall. Diving supply stores sold the hose assemblies nationwide between January 1, 1982 and March 31, 1988 for approximately $111 each. Consumers should stop using the hose assemblies immediately and contact Trelleborg Viking for a free replacement. For assistance in identifying unmarked hose assemblies and for more information about this recall, consumers should call Trelleborg Viking, Inc. at (800) 344-4458. Outside Canada and the U.S., consumers should call Trelleborg Viking Sweden at 01-46-411-67940.
Hazard
If the hose assembly is not properly seated in the air inlet valve on the diver's suit, a free-flow of air into the dry dive suit may occur. If this occurs during a dive, and a diver fails to take standard precautions, death or serious injury, including air embolism, may result.
Incidents & Injuries
This recall follows a jury verdict that awarded damages to the spouse of a diver from Anchorage, Alaska who died while using one of the recalled hose assemblies.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the hose assemblies immediately and contact Trelleborg Viking for a free replacement.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Replace) at no cost to you.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.