More Than 41,000 Buoyancy Compensators Recalled
The Aqua Lung buoyancy compensators with SureLock II weight pocket handles are being recalled in the United States and Canada; an additional 110,000 were recalled in the United States last year.
Aqua Lung America of Vista, Calif., has recalled more than 41,000 buoyancy compensators, saying that Aqua Lung buoyancy compensators with SureLock II weight pocket handles are being recalled in the United States and Canada because the rubber handles can detach as divers are trying to remove the weight pockets to rise to the surface in an emergency. This poses a drowning hazard.
About 30,000 are being recalled in the United States and 11,300 in Canada, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's notice; it says an additional 110,000 units were recalled in the United States in March 2013.
Consumers are asked to contact Aqua Lung toll-free at 855-355-7170 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST Monday through Friday or to visit www.aqualung.com and click on Recall Notice for more information.
"This recall involves all Aqua Lung buoyancy compensator vests with SureLock II rubber handles attached to the weight pockets, including those with SureLock II handles that were replaced in the previous recall. The handles are gray rubber, measure about 2 inches tall by 4 inches wide and extend from the forward end of the ditchable weight pockets. SureLock II handles were installed in most Aqua Lung and one model of Apeks buoyancy compensators including: all discontinued Black Diamond, Pro QD and Pro QDi3 models with serial numbers lower than BB408620. The recall also includes all Apeks Black Ice, Axiom, Axiom i3, Balance, Dimension, Libra, Lotus, Pearl, Pearl i3, ProLT and Zuma models with serial numbers lower than BB408620. The buoyancy compensator's model name is embroidered on the inside back pad or on the right lobe. 'Sure Lock' is molded into the back of the weight pocket. The serial numbers are located on a tag under the back pad of the buoyance compensator or inside the pocket," the notice states.