Scubapro® MK 20 First Stage Regulators
CPSC Recall #07-501 — October 1, 2006
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 07-501 |
| Recall Date | October 1, 2006 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 48,500 units |
| Manufacturer | Scubapro® USA, of El Cajon, Calif. |
| Manufactured In | Italy and United States |
Where It Was Sold
| Authorized Scubapro® dealers nationwide from January 1996 through December 2001 for about $260. |
Product
Scubapro® MK 20 First Stage Regulators
Description
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Scubapro USA, of El Cajon, Calif. is voluntarily recalling about 48,500 Scubapro MK 20 First Stage Regulators. Over-tightening of the Yoke or Din retainer during annual servicing of these regulators could result in a stress crack and failure of the regulator. If this occurs during a dive, air supply could be interrupted, posing a drowning hazard.Name of Product: Scubapro® MK 20 First Stage RegulatorsUnits: About 48,500 unitsManufacturer: Scubapro® USA, of El Cajon, Calif.Hazard: Over-tightening of the Yoke or Din retainer during annual servicing of these regulators could result in a stress crack and failure of the regulator. If this occurs during a dive, air supply could be interrupted, posing a drowning hazard.Incidents/Injuries: No injuries or underwater incidents have been reported. Scubapro® USA has received eight reports of units that failed after being serviced.Description: The recall involves first stage regulators that are marked with the Scubapro brand and identified as the MK20.Sold at: Authorized Scubapro® dealers nationwide from January 1996 through December 2001 for about $260.Manufactured in: Italy and United StatesRemedy: Scubapro® USA has been providing a service upgrade kit via the authorized dealer network since May 2005 which contains a Yoke or Din retainer that prohibits over-tightening during annual service. Consumers can easily identify if the service upgrade has been completed by counting the vents on the plastic saddle located on the regulator. If the service upgrade has not been completed, the consumer should bring the regulator to any authorized Scubapro® dealer to have the service upgrade completed free of charge.Consumer Contact: For assistance in locating the nearest authorized Scubapro® dealer or for more information, contact Scubapro® USA toll-free at (800) 731-6685 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or go to the firm's Web site at www.scubapro-uwatec.com.
Hazard
Over-tightening of the Yoke or Din retainer during annual servicing of these regulators could result in a stress crack and failure of the regulator. If this occurs during a dive, air supply could be interrupted, posing a drowning hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
No injuries or underwater incidents have been reported. Scubapro® USA has received eight reports of units that failed after being serviced.
Remedy Instructions
Scubapro® USA has been providing a service upgrade kit via the authorized dealer network since May 2005 which contains a Yoke or Din retainer that prohibits over-tightening during annual service. Consumers can easily identify if the service upgrade has been completed by counting the vents on the plastic saddle located on the regulator. If the service upgrade has not been completed, the consumer should bring the regulator to any authorized Scubapro® dealer to have the service upgrade completed free of charge.
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.