CPSC, Trelleborg Viking Announce Recall Of Air Inlet Hose

Washington, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Trelleborg Viking, Inc., of Portsmouth, N.H., is announcing the voluntary recall of approximately 5,000 Viking Sport Dry Suit Air Inlet Hose Assemblies for use as scuba diving equipment. If the hose assembly is not properly seated in the air inlet valve on the diver's suit, a free-flow of air into the dry dive suit may occur. If this occurs during a dive, and a diver fails to take standard precautions, death or serious injury, including air embolism, may result.

This recall follows a jury verdict that awarded damages to the spouse of a diver from Anchorage, Alaska who died while using one of the recalled hose assemblies.

The recalled hose assemblies have identifying letters at the point of connection into a diver's first stage regulator. The markings consist of letters and numbers that begin with A, B, or C and end in letters A through L. Other, unmarked Viking hose assemblies sold between January 1, 1982 and March 31, 1988 are also included in this recall.

Diving supply stores sold the hose assemblies nationwide between January 1, 1982 and March 31, 1988 for approximately $111 each. Consumers should stop using the hose assemblies immediately and contact Trelleborg Viking for a free replacement. For assistance in identifying unmarked hose assemblies and for more information about this recall, consumers should call Trelleborg Viking, Inc. at (800) 344-4458. Outside Canada and the U.S., consumers should call Trelleborg Viking Sweden at 01-46-411-67940.