Halcyon SCUBA Buoyancy Compensator (BC) Inflators

CPSC Recall #04-209 — September 1, 2004

Recall Summary

Recall Number04-209
Recall DateSeptember 1, 2004
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 4,000
ManufacturerHalcyon Manufacturing, of High Springs, Fla.
Manufactured InUnited States

Where It Was Sold

Dive stores nationwide sold these inflators individually from October 2003 through May 2004 for about $46. The inflators also were sold as part of BC units ranging from $270 to $600.

Product

Halcyon SCUBA Buoyancy Compensator (BC) Inflators

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Halcyon Manufacturing, of High Springs, Fla. is voluntarily recalling about 4,000 Halcyon SCUBA Buoyancy Compensator (BC) Inflators. The SCUBA BC bladder can have a slow leak because of imperfections within the machining of the stainless air barrel of their inflators. This can cause unexpected buoyancy problems with divers, possibly resulting in decompression sickness. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.Name of product: Halcyon SCUBA Buoyancy Compensator (BC) InflatorsUnits: About 4,000Manufacturer: Halcyon Manufacturing, of High Springs, Fla.Hazard: The SCUBA BC bladder can have a slow leak because of imperfections within the machining of the stainless air barrel of their inflators. This can cause unexpected buoyancy problems with divers, possibly resulting in decompression sickness.Incidents/Injuries: Halcyon has reports of 10 incidents of BCs leaking. No injuries or deaths have been reported.Description: Halcyon is recalling all stainless steel power inflators. They have a stainless steel oral and power inflate button. Inflators made of plastic are not included in this recall. The repaired inflators have a groove at the base of their retainer nut. The BCs sold with these inflators are black and the Halcyon logo is on the front and collar of the BCs.Sold at: Dive stores nationwide sold these inflators individually from October 2003 through May 2004 for about $46. The inflators also were sold as part of BC units ranging from $270 to $600.Manufactured in: United States.Remedy: Consumers should stop using these BCs immediately and contact Halcyon for information on receiving a free repair.Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Halcyon Manufacturing at (800) 425-2966 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit their website at www.halcyon.net.

Hazard

The SCUBA BC bladder can have a slow leak because of imperfections within the machining of the stainless air barrel of their inflators. This can cause unexpected buoyancy problems with divers, possibly resulting in decompression sickness.

Incidents & Injuries

Halcyon has reports of 10 incidents of BCs leaking. No injuries or deaths have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these BCs immediately and contact Halcyon for information on receiving a free repair.

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.