PlainRecalls

CPSC, Custom Buoyancy Inc. Announce Recall of Scuba Diving Devices

Reported: January 30, 2002 Initiated: January 30, 2002 #02093 7,700 units

Custom Buoyancy Inc. (CBI), of Torrance, Calif. issued this CPSC recall on January 30, 2002. Classified as Moderate severity. Approximately 7,700 units are affected. The recall was issued because: The overpressure valve can stick in the open position, posing a drowning hazard to divers.. This recall notice is sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Below you will find the complete product description, hazard information, remedy instructions, and related recalls from the same manufacturer or product category.

Recall Insight

This CPSC action (record #02093) was formally reported on January 30, 2002. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. Custom Buoyancy Inc. (CBI), of Torrance, Calif. is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records indicate 7,700 units are affected.

The documented reason for this recall is: The overpressure valve can stick in the open position, posing a drowning hazard to divers. Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: Consumers should stop using the buoyancy control systems with these overpressure valves immediately and contact the CBI dealer where purchased, for a free replacement valve. — consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.

To put this record in context, PlainRecalls indexes 83,949 recalls across the FDA, CPSC, NHTSA and USDA FSIS going back to 1995. Within the same product category, the database holds 6 closely related recalls. That clustering is a signal — repeated actions in a narrow category often indicate a systemic quality-control issue, a supplier-wide contamination, or a design defect that has propagated across product lines. This recall is roughly 24 years old; older recalls can remain relevant because many units enter resale, rental, and secondary-market channels where the original warning never reaches the end user. Always cross-check the recall number against the official agency page before relying on any summary.

Recall Distribution by Severity Class

Severity1Class I (Critical)Class II (Moderate)Class III (Low)
Recall Distribution by Severity Class

Severity

Moderate

Units Affected

7,700

Related Recalls

6

0 from same agency

Product Description

The recalled overpressure valve is installed on buoyancy control systems with the following brand names: Diving Unlimited International (DUI), International Divers, Ocean Management Systems, Rip Tide and Steam Machines. Brand names and logos are printed on the epaulettes and pockets. These buoyancy control systems come in two versions, a jacket style and a wings style. The date code, printed on an instructional label sewn to the buoyancy control system, is the first four numbers after the brand name abbreviation. The first two numbers indicate the month and the second two numbers indicate the year. The recall includes date codes from October 2000 through June 2001. Valves with an asterisk below the serial number are not involved in this recall.

Reason for Recall

The overpressure valve can stick in the open position, posing a drowning hazard to divers.

Remedy

Consumers should stop using the buoyancy control systems with these overpressure valves immediately and contact the CBI dealer where purchased, for a free replacement valve.

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the CPSC recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Severity class Moderate
Status Active
Recall number 02093
Date reported January 30, 2002
Date initiated January 30, 2002
Recalling firm Custom Buoyancy Inc. (CBI), of Torrance, Calif.
Units affected 7,700
Distribution Not disclosed

Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Scale of Impact

7,700 units affected — limited or regional distribution scale.

Regional (<10K units) ✓ This recall
Multi-state (10K – 100K units)
Large-scale (100K – 1M units)
Massive (≥1M units)

Bracket cutoffs follow federal recall-disclosure conventions; bar widths scale linearly within each bracket. Source: PlainRecalls analysis of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission filings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled?
The recalled overpressure valve is installed on buoyancy control systems with the following brand names: Diving Unlimited International (DUI), International Divers, Ocean Management Systems, Rip Tide and Steam Machines. Brand names and logos are printed on the epaulettes and pockets. These buoyancy control systems come in two versions, a jacket style and a wings style. The date code, printed on an instructional label sewn to the buoyancy control system, is the first four numbers after the brand name abbreviation. The first two numbers indicate the month and the second two numbers indicate the year. The recall includes date codes from October 2000 through June 2001. Valves with an asterisk below the serial number are not involved in this recall.. Recalled by Custom Buoyancy Inc. (CBI), of Torrance, Calif.. Units affected: 7,700.
Why was this product recalled?
The overpressure valve can stick in the open position, posing a drowning hazard to divers.
What should consumers do?
Consumers should stop using the buoyancy control systems with these overpressure valves immediately and contact the CBI dealer where purchased, for a free replacement valve.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on January 30, 2002. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 02093.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (02093) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product?
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.

Recall Context

Product recalls are issued when a manufacturer, distributor, or federal agency determines that a product poses a safety risk to consumers. This recall is classified as moderate severity, indicating the product may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences. Across PlainRecalls, we track 83,000+ recalls from FDA, CPSC, and NHTSA to help consumers stay informed and act quickly when safety issues arise.

Nearby Recalls in This Category

Other recalls in the same product category — useful for spotting patterns across the same defect class or manufacturer.

Compare this recall with Endo-Model Replacement Plateau; Item Number: 15-0027/11; →

Data Sources

Data as of 2025. Source: FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS federal recall databases.

  • Source: FDA — Food and Drug Administration, openFDA Enforcement API (food, drug, and medical device recalls)
  • Source: CPSC — Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls API (consumer product recalls and hazards)
  • Source: NHTSA — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recalls API (vehicle safety recalls)
  • Source: USDA FSIS — Food Safety and Inspection Service (meat, poultry, and egg product recalls)

Recall information is sourced from official federal agency databases. Always verify recall details with the issuing agency for the most current status. This information is for research and awareness purposes only.

All federal data sources used on this page

Source: Federal recall agencies (FDA, CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS) Aggregated multi-agency recall feeds · 2024 Recall data normalized across federal agency feeds; severity classifications follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC, NHTSA, USDA FSIS).