The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·23222·Announced 2023-06-15

Oceanic SCUBA Buoyancy Compensating Devices Recalled for Drowning Hazard

Huish Outdoors is recalling Oceanic brand SCUBA diving buoyancy compensating devices because the weight pocket handle can break during use, preventing divers from dumping weight in an emergency to surface safely. No injuries have been reported, but 73 broken handles have been documented.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: This is a risk-of-harm product recall involving a drowning hazard in a water-based activity where injury or death could reasonably occur if the defect manifests. Although no injuries have been reported and the hazard is not yet realized, the potential for serious harm in a drowning scenario meets the High threshold per the severity rubric.

Plain-English summary

Huish Outdoors, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, is recalling approximately 7,100 Oceanic SCUBA Diving Buoyancy Compensating Devices sold in the United States (plus 345 in Canada). The recalled models are the OceanPro, Excursion, and Hera with specific serial number ranges: 608262 through 695909, 1170357 through 1180342, 1200001 through 1200070, and 20031001 through 22082698. These devices are jacket-style vests worn during diving with integrated weight pouches on either side.

The weight pocket handle can break during use. When this occurs, the user cannot dump the weight pockets in an emergency to rise to the surface, creating a drowning hazard. The recall affects only QLR4 Pocket Handles that DO NOT contain a date code on the underside.

The firm has received 73 reports of broken weight pocket handles. No injuries have been reported. The devices were sold at SCUBA dive equipment stores nationwide and online through third-party distributors and dealer websites from April 2019 through May 2023 for between $530 and $720.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled devices and contact Huish Outdoors for a free replacement of the weight pockets, which are detachable and easily replaceable. Huish Outdoors can be reached toll-free at 833-493-1029, by email at [email protected], or online at https://www.oceanicworldwide.com and https://www.oceanicworldwide.com/blog/qlr4-weight-pocket-voluntary-recall/.

The recalled product

Product
SCUBA Diving Buoyancy Compensating Devices OceanPro, Excursion, Hera
Manufacturer
Huish Outdoors, of Salt Lake City, Utah
Category
Consumer Product — Diving Equipment
Hazard
  • drowning
  • equipment-failure
  • weight-pocket-handle-breakage
Affected units
7,100

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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