Custom Buoyancy Inc. Overpressure Valve (OPV)
CPSC Recall #02-093 — January 29, 2002
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 02-093 |
| Recall Date | January 29, 2002 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | 7,700 |
Where It Was Sold
| Authorized CBI distributors sold the buoyancy control systems with the overpressure valves nationwide from October 2000 through November 2001 for about $590. |
Product
Custom Buoyancy Inc. Overpressure Valve (OPV)
Description
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 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.
Hazard
The overpressure valve can stick in the open position, posing a drowning hazard to divers.
Incidents & Injuries
CPSC and CBI have received three reports of the valves sticking open. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
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.
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.