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Recall Details
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 15, 2005 Release #05-271 |
Firm's Recall Hotline: (888) 215-3131 |
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of Product: Ortovox M1 and M2 Avalanche Transceivers - A device worn to help locate a buried avalanche victim.
Units: About 15,500
Manufacturer: Ortovox USA, of Hopkinton, N.H.
Hazard: The batteries in these devices can become dislodged when the transceiver is struck sharply. The transceiver could fail to function properly in the aftermath of an avalanche, and result in the buried victim not being found in time to avoid serious injury or death.
Incidents/Injuries: There have been three reports by consumers of the batteries in these devices becoming dislodged. No injuries have been reported.
Description: Both models of avalanche transceivers are plastic and measure 5.5-inches by 2.5-inches by 1-inch. The M1 has a navy blue body and a yellow volume control switch. The M2 avalanche transceiver comes in two colors: glacier white (grey) with a red volume control switch, and orange with a grey volume control switch. The model name and "ORTOVOX" are written on the front of the transceivers.
Sold at: Outdoor specialty stores nationwide from January 1997 through July 2005 for about $300.
Manufactured in: Germany.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled avalanche transceivers and contact the firm to receive a new battery door that will help prevent the batteries from becoming dislodged.
Consumer Contact: Call Ortovox USA toll-free at (888) 215-3131 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.ortovox.com
Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.
If you are experiencing issues with a recall remedy or believe a company is being non-responsive to your remedy request, please use this form and explain the situation to CPSC.
Related Recalls
The recalled BD Vision harnesses can degrade over time and fail to support the climber, posing a fall hazard resulting in serious injury or death.
The recalled auto belay device can fail to retract, posing a fall hazard and risk of serious injury or death.
A fuse within the avalanche transceiver can be defective and cause power to drain from the battery, posing a risk of loss of emergency communication which could result in serious injury or death.
The climbing ropes can weaken and break, posing a fall hazard to consumers.
The battery compartment within the avalanche transceiver could not have enough contact force to supply power. In some cases, the transceiver will fail to power on or cease operating during use. It would make it impossible to locate a victim in an avalanche emergency situation, which could result in serious injury or death.
The recalled harness can be put on backwards and the rope or carabiner can be attached to a non-weight-bearing leg loop elastic band, placing the user at risk of falling from height and sustaining serious injury, including paraplegia or death.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
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