Cascade Designs Recalls Avalanche Rescue Probes Due to Suffocation Risk

Plain-English summary

Cascade Designs Inc. is recalling approximately 1,600 Mountain Safety Research Striker 320 and Striker 240 avalanche rescue probes sold in the United States. The recall was initiated because the lock button on the probe can fail to engage and lock, causing the probe not to function as intended. This malfunction can interfere with the ability to find someone buried beneath snow, posing a suffocation hazard.

The affected probes are divided into sections of 18-inch aluminum shafts that lock into place to create a single 94-inch or 126-inch probe. The Striker 320 is red and gray, while the Striker 240 is yellow and gray; both have "MSR" printed on the shaft. These probes were sold at REI and other outdoor recreation stores nationwide, as well as online at Amazon.com and other websites, from September 2014 through January 2016 for between $60 and $70. An additional 230 units were sold in Canada.

No injuries have been reported in connection with this recall. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled probes and contact Cascade Designs at 800-531-9531 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday, or visit www.msrgear.com and click on "Recall" to receive a refund or a free replacement probe.

The recalled product

Product

Avalanche rescue probes

Manufacturer

Cascade Designs Inc., of Seattle, Wash.

Category

Consumer Product — Outdoor Recreation Equipment

Hazard

• suffocation
• mechanical-failure

Affected units

1,600

Distribution

Related recalls