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Consumer product recall

Backcountry Access, Inc. recalls Avalanche Airbags

Starting date:
November 26, 2013
Posting date:
November 26, 2013
Type of communication:
Consumer Product Recall
Subcategory:
Sports/Fitness
Source of recall:
Health Canada
Issue:
Physical Hazard
Audience:
General Public
Identification number:
RA-36935

Joint recall with Health Canada, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (US CPSC) and Backcountry Access, Inc.

Affected products

Avalanche Airbags by Backcountry Access, Inc.

Product description

The product is a small backpack designed for wear by skiers and snowmobilers. In the rare event of an avalanche, the user can pull a trigger on the backpack to release the airbag inside, which may help keep the user afloat, helping to prevent burial and possible suffocation in the snow.

The recalled Avalanche Airbags include:
Product UPC
Float 30 Airbag Pack 894913002721
Float 18 Airbag Pack 875240002147
Float 36 Airbag Pack 857240002154
Float 22 - Blue 857240002246
Float 22 - Black 857240002239
Float 32 - Red 857240002260
Float Throttle - Black 857240002253

The affected trigger assemblies have a "lot" letter on the trigger handle, and the population includes lots A through E.

Hazard identified

The trigger assembly can fail resulting in the airbag not deploying, posing a risk of death and injury in the event of an avalanche.

Neither Health Canada nor Backcountry Access, Inc. has received reports of an incident or injury in Canada.

Number sold

Approximately 1,787 of the recalled products have been sold at various retailers across Canada and approximately 6,400 were sold in the United States.

Time period sold

The recalled BCA Avalanche Airbags were sold from November 2011 to October 2013 in Canada and the United States.

Place of origin

Manufactured in China.

Companies

Manufacturer
Dongguan Kangfeng Metal Co., Ltd. (DGKF)
Dongguan
CHINA
Distributor
Backcountry Access Inc.
Boulder
Colorado
UNITED STATES

Images (select thumbnail to enlarge - opens in a new window)


What you should do

Consumers should stop using the recalled avalanche airbags immediately and contact Backcountry Access, Inc. to obtain the new design of trigger assembly and instructions for installation.

For more information, consumers may contact Backcountry Access Inc. toll-free at 1-800-670-8735, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. MDT, Monday through Friday, by email or visit the firm’s website.

Consumers may view the release by the US CPSC on the Commission’s website.

Please note that the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act prohibits recalled products from being redistributed, sold or even given away in Canada.

Health Canada would like to remind Canadians to report any health or safety incidents related to the use of this product or any other consumer product or cosmetic by filling out the Consumer Product Incident Report Form.