Oct 3, 2006 03:42 AM EDT

WASHINGTON -- The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Scubapro. MK 20 First Stage Regulators
Units: About 48,500 units.
Manufacturer: Scubapro. USA, of El Cajon, Calif.
Hazard: Over-tightening of the Yoke or Din retainer during annual servicing of these regulators could result in a stress crack and failure of the regulator. If this occurs during a dive, air supply could be interrupted, posing a drowning hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: No injuries or underwater incidents have been reported. Scubapro. USA has received eight reports of units that failed after being serviced.
Description: The recall involves first stage regulators that are marked with the Scubapro brand and identified as the MK20.
Sold at: Authorized Scubapro. dealers nationwide from January 1996 through December 2001 for about $260.
Manufactured in: Italy and United States.
Remedy: Scubapro. USA has been providing a service upgrade kit via the authorized dealer network since May 2005 which contains a Yoke or Din retainer that prohibits over-tightening during annual service. Consumers can easily identify if the service upgrade has been completed by counting the vents on the plastic saddle located on the regulator. If the service upgrade has not been completed, the consumer should bring the regulator to any authorized Scubapro. dealer to have the service upgrade completed free of charge.
Consumer Contact: For assistance in locating the nearest authorized Scubapro. dealer or for more information, contact Scubapro. USA toll-free at (800) 731-6685 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or go to the firm's Web site at www.scubapro-uwatec.com

thanks Freddie!
Mare

This appears to be a formal announcement of last year's issues with ScubaPro Mk-20 1st stage regs, see http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/27/226806.html

While worthwhile having these regs checked (my wife has one, and I am not ready to replace her), I have previously talked with my dealer about the issue, and he showed me the changes ScubaPro had made to newer Mk-20's (like my wife's) to eliminate the problem.

Appears prudent to be cautious, but no need IMHO to over react if you checked it out earlier.

Thanks much for the heads up. Both my wife and I have been diving with MK20s since 1999. I was aware that there had been discussion of this problem previously, as noted above by Dr. Director, but was unaware that a formal recall had been made. Our equipment is now at the shop getting modified, so we can dive Bonaire with peace of mind in January. Thanks again.

It pays to get documentation that the upgrade was installed. The number of vents on the saddle cap is not a sure-fire indicator. For instance, my MK20 Nitrox came back with a green saddle with 3 vent caps, same as it went in. I requested and received a follow-up fax from Scubapro confirming by serial number my first stage is currently configured with the correct model retainer, and an explanation that they did not have any green saddles with 2 vents manufactured. Jules Ganier is the Scubapro Technical Services Supervisor you'll want to contact if you have any questions - he's very professional in his dealings on this matter.