The recall, described as voluntary, relates to over-pressure relief valves which may malfunction due to a faulty spring.
The potentially faulty valves were fitted to many types of diving product made between the start of 2006 and late 2008.
Faulty behaviour of the valves could lead to unwanted deflation. Products containing the valves include, crucially, BCs.
The American diving newsletter Undercurrent has reported that some 20,000 items will be subject to the recall.
Halcyon states: “Halcyon Manufacturing Inc in co-operation with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission has initiated a voluntary recall of select Eclipse, Evolve, Explorer, Pioneer and CCR35 buoyancy compensators (BCDs) manufactured between January, 2006 and September, 2008.
“In addition, select Halcyon inflatable devices (Lift Bags, SMBs, DAMs, Surf Shuttles and Diver Lift rafts) may also be affected.
“These BCDs or inflatable devices could develop excessive corrosion or rusting problems with the stainless steel Over Pressure Valve (OPV) spring, causing the spring to fail and the BCD or inflatable device to leak through the OPV.
“It is unlikely that most of these units will experience any problems since the potential defect is limited to a very small portion of the total number of OPV springs used during this time period.
“However, given the potentially serious implications all OPV springs should be checked to minimize risk or inconvenience to Halcyon customers. BCDs manufactured after September, 2008 are not included in this voluntary recall.”
Divers should take their gear for inspection if the serial number begins with one of the following sequences:
16, 26, 36, 46, 56, 66, 76, 86, 96, A6, B6, C6, 17, 27, 37, 47, 57, 67, 77, 87, 97, A7, B7, C7, 18, 28, 38, 48, 58, 68, 78 or 88.
In Britain, information on dealers can be obtained from Halcyon’s distributor Silent Planet of Castletown, Portland in Dorset. Go to www.silentplanet.info or call 01305 826666.
Halcyon Dive Systems, High Springs, Florida – www.halcyon.net