URGENT SAFETY NOTICE / OTS Guardian FFM

[tlt]

The following was posted on the Yahoo! Group SAR-Diver Forum at: SAR-Diver : Water Rescue & Recovery and PSD Forum

URGENT SAFETY NOTICE

GUARDIAN FULL FACE MASK POSSIBLE VISOR PROBLEM.
As of August 12, 2009, this afternoon, Ocean Technology Systems (OTS) Management has issued an Urgent Safety Notice as follows:
It has been brought to our attention that under certain conditions and/or usages, the Guardian Full Face Mask (GFFM) visor can be dislodged and we are issuing an immediate "Stop Diving" alert until we can provide each GFFM with an easily installed remedy. For further instructions or if you have questions, you can call OTS at 1-877-270-1984, email at OTSrecall@otscomm.com or look on the website for further information at Not Found
It is OTS's intention to have the best and safest Full Face Mask available which is the reason we take every safety matter seriously and will be constantly monitoring this situation and all future GFFM in production.

[Splitlip]

Not finding this anywhere but here and scubaboard.

http://www.oceantechnologysystems.com/GFFM-NOTICE.html

[reef]

I called the number, and didn't get anything except some generic voicemail.

It didn't even state that I had reached OTS.

I dove mine over the weekend because I had no knowledge of the recall.

You would hope they would be notifying owners via email, or phone.

[tk trekers]

It is now an official recall as of 10-06-09:

Guardian Full-Face Diving Masks Recalled by Ocean Technology Due to Visor Separation Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Guardian Full-Face Masks

Units: About 900

Manufacturer: Undersea Systems International Inc., dba Ocean Technology Systems, of Santa Ana, Calif.

Hazard: If significant pressure is applied vertically to the top and bottom of the visor clamp, the clear plastic visor may dislodge causing the mask to flood.

Incidents/Injuries: Ocean Technology Systems has received three reports of visors dislodging. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves the Guardian full-face mask which is a scuba diving mask that incorporates the second stage regulator into the mask allowing it to cover the diver's full face.

Sold by: Direct sales and diving equipment retailers nationwide from March 2009 through August 2009 for $800.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the diving masks and contact Ocean Technology Systems to receive a free repair. Ocean Technology Systems is providing consumers stainless steel clamps to secure the plastic visor.

Consumer Contact: : For additional information, contact Ocean Technology Systems toll-free at (877) 270-1984 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at Underwater Communications by Ocean Technology Systems, Buddy Phone, Aquacom, Scubacom, Buddy Line, full face mask, AGA.. Consumers also can email the firm at Underwater Communications by Ocean Technology Systems, Buddy Phone, Aquacom, Scubacom, Buddy Line, full face mask, AGA.

Note: Health Canada's press release can be seen at: Consumer Product Recalls - Consumer Product SafetyPR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=859

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including a picture of the recalled product, please go to:
Guardian Full-Face Diving Masks Recalled by Ocean Technology Due to Visor Separation Hazard