PIEPS DSP Pro, DSP Pro Ice, and DSP Sport Avalanche Transceivers

CPSC Recall #21-108 — April 12, 2021

Recall Summary

Recall Number21-108
Recall DateApril 12, 2021
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 66,100 (In addition, about 12,500 were sold in Canada)
ManufacturerPieps GMBH, of Austria
ImporterBlack Diamond Ltd., of Salt Lake City, Utah
Manufactured InAustria

Where It Was Sold

Liberty Mountain
Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI)
and other specialty outdoor stores nationwide
and online at www.backcountry.com from January 2013 through November 2020 for between $300 and $450.

Product

PIEPS DSP Pro, DSP Pro Ice, and DSP Sport Avalanche Transceivers

Description

This recall involves all PIEPS DSP Pro, DSP Pro Ice, and DSP Sport Avalanche Transceivers.  The transceivers are worn by skiers so they can be located if they are buried in an avalanche.  The units were sold in one size with an LCD display, a slider switch with Off/Search/Send, and are powered by a battery.  The devices have a green/yellow, black/yellow, or clear/yellow exterior.  The transceivers come with a black neoprene carrying case.  The manufacturer’s name, PIEPS, is printed in black letters on the front of the unit with the model name DSP Pro, DSP Pro Ice, and DSP Sport.  The recall includes PIEPS DSP Sport Avalanche Transceiver MODEL NO. PP1128040000ALL1; PIEPS DSP Pro Avalanche Transceiver MODEL NO. PP1127710000ALL1; and PIEPS DSP Pro Ice Avalanche Transceiver MODELNO. PP1127700000ALL1.  The model name DSP02 can be found on the inside of the battery door, and the model number can be found on the outside of the packaging.

Hazard

The transceiver can switch modes unexpectedly when not locked or installed in the harness.  When this occurs, it will prevent the transceiver from transmitting a signal and can make it difficult to locate a skier in an avalanche, which can result in severe bodily harm or death.

Incidents & Injuries

Black Diamond has received 65 reports of the transceiver modes switching unexpectedly while in use.  One death and one instance of a skier getting caught in an avalanche who suffered a broken arm and minor injuries were both reported in British Columbia.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled avalanche transceivers and contact Black Diamond for a free replacement hardcase carrying system and user guide to be used with the recalled transceivers.

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.