"SCUBAPRO" second-stage scuba regulators

CPSC Recall #79-051 - September 30, 1979

Recall Summary

Recall Number79-051
Recall DateSeptember 30, 1979
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedApproximately 800
ManufacturerUnder Sea Industries, Inc., of Compton, California

Product

"SCUBAPRO" second-stage scuba regulators

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 1) -- Second-stage scuba regulators which may pose a drowning hazard to divers are being recalled by their manufacturer, Under Sea Industries, Inc., in Compton, California. A second-stage regulator consists of the diver's mouthpiece and the "purge," which is a button used to clear water from the mouthpiece. The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. An integral exhaust valve, which enables the diver to exhale, may dislodge from its proper position if the purge is depressed and the diver's tongue is blocking the mouthpiece. This can cause the regulator to flood. The unintentional application of silicon lubricant to the valve or valve seat during servicing is believed to cause the valve displacement. Approximately 800 of these regulators have been sold in diving stores nationwide at retail prices ranging from $90 to $150. The company previously notified its dealers and some consumers about the recall, but poor response has prompted this additional bulletin. The recall applies to the "SCUBAPRO" model 11-108-000 second-stage regulator and to model 12-103-000 and 12-010-000 regulator systems, which include the potentially defective valve. The model numbers appear on the packaging carton and the warranty card. Divers who have purchased these regulators or had them serviced between September 12, 1978, and April, 1979, should return them to any authorized "SCUBAPRO" dealer for free repairs. Dealers are listed in the "Yellow Pages" section of the telephone directory under the heading, "Divers' Equipment and Supplies." To verify model numbers, consumers may contact CPSC's toll-free Hotline 800-638-2772.

Hazard

Second-stage scuba regulators which may pose a drowning hazard to divers are being recalled by their manufacturer, Under Sea Industries, Inc., in Compton, California. An integral exhaust valve, which enables the diver to exhale, may dislodge from its proper position if the purge is depressed and the diver's tongue is blocking the mouthpiece. This can cause the regulator to flood.

Remedy Instructions

Divers who have purchased these regulators or had them serviced between September 12, 1978, and April, 1979, should return them to any authorized "SCUBAPRO" dealer for free repairs. 

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair 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 (Repair) 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.