Trident Model RP73 tank valve caps
CPSC Recall #96-020 - November 14, 1995
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 96-020 |
| Recall Date | November 14, 1995 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | Approximately 500 |
Where It Was Sold
| The valve caps were sold between January and June 1995 through Trident's catalog and at dive shops nationwide. The caps cost between $2.00 and $4.00 and were packaged in unlabeled plastic bags. |
Product
Trident Model RP73 tank valve caps
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Trident Diving Equipment, of Chatsworth, Calif., is recalling approximately 500 screw-in DIN Tank Valve Caps. If tank pressure is 3000 psi or greater, the valve cap is not properly inserted, and the air valve is on, the valve caps may fracture and pop out of the air tank, causing injury. Trident is aware of one incident of injury where a valve cap allegedly popped off a tank and struck the consumer in the hand. The valve cap, Trident Model RP73, is intended for use on SCUBA diving compressed air tanks to prevent sand, dirt or dust from contaminating the area around the valve. The black plastic caps measure 1" in diameter and 1" thick. The hexagon-shaped caps can be tethered to tanks by a string attached to a plastic eyelet in the top of the cap. The valve caps were sold between January and June 1995 through Trident's catalog and at dive shops nationwide. The caps cost between $2.00 and $4.00 and were packaged in unlabeled plastic bags. Consumers who own model RP73 caps should call Trident at (800) 234-3483 for a free replacement cap.
Hazard
If tank pressure is 3000 psi or greater, the valve cap is not properly inserted, and the air valve is on, the valve caps may fracture and pop out of the air tank, causing injury.
Incidents & Injuries
Trident is aware of one incident of injury where a valve cap allegedly popped off a tank and struck the consumer in the hand.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers who own model RP73 caps should call Trident at (800) 234-3483 for a free replacement cap.
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.