Severity
Moderate
Aqua Lung Expands Recall of Buoyancy Compensators Due to Drowning Hazard
Reported: November 12, 2014 Initiated: November 12, 2014 #15022 About 30,000 in the United States and 11,300 in Canada (an additional 110,000 were previously recalled in the U.S. in March 2013) units
CPSC recall on November 12, 2014. Classified as Moderate severity. Approximately About 30,000 in the United States and 11,300 in Canada (an additional 110,000 were previously recalled in the U.S. in March 2013) units are affected. The recall was issued because: The rubber handles can detach as divers are trying to remove the weight pockets to rise to the surface in an emergency.…. 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 #15022) was formally reported on November 12, 2014. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. The recalling firm is not specified in the federal record. Federal records indicate About 30,000 in the United States and 11,300 in Canada (an additional 110,000 were previously recalled in the U.S. in March 2013) units are affected, placing this recall in the million-unit bracket that typically triggers nationwide consumer alerts and retailer sweeps.
The documented reason for this recall is: The rubber handles can detach as divers are trying to remove the weight pockets to rise to the surface in an emergency. This poses a drowning hazard. 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 immediately stop using the recalled buoyancy compensators and return the two weight pockets to an authorized Aqua Lung dealer to receive a free inspection and free newly-designed rep… — 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, of which 6 were also issued by CPSC. 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 12 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
Units Affected
About 30,000 in the United States and 11,300 in Canada (an additional 110,000 were previously recalled in the U.S. in March 2013)
Related Recalls
6
6 from same agency
Product Description
This recall involves all Aqua Lung buoyancy compensator vests with SureLock II rubber handles attached to the weight pockets, including those with SureLock II handles that were replaced in the previous recall. The handles are gray rubber, measure about 2 inches tall by 4 inches wide and extend from the forward end of the ditchable weight pockets. SureLock II handles were installed in most Aqua Lung and one model of Apeks buoyancy compensators including: all discontinued Black Diamond, Pro QD and Pro QDi3 models with serial numbers lower than BB408620. The recall also includes all Apeks Black Ice, Axiom, Axiom i3, Balance, Dimension, Libra, Lotus, Pearl, Pearl i3, ProLT and Zuma models with serial numbers lower than BB408620. The buoyancy compensator's model name is embroidered on the inside back pad or on the right lobe. "Sure Lock" is molded into the back of the weight pocket. The serial numbers are located on a tag under the back pad of the buoyance compensator or inside the pocket. Earlier models could have the number printed on a tag behind the hook and loop inflator hold down on the left shoulder.
Reason for Recall
The rubber handles can detach as divers are trying to remove the weight pockets to rise to the surface in an emergency. This poses a drowning hazard.
Remedy
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled buoyancy compensators and return the two weight pockets to an authorized Aqua Lung dealer to receive a free inspection and free newly-designed replacement weight pocket handles.
Details
- Units Affected
- About 30,000 in the United States and 11,300 in Canada (an additional 110,000 were previously recalled in the U.S. in March 2013)
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
| Severity class | Moderate |
| Status | Active |
| Recall number | 15022 |
| Date reported | November 12, 2014 |
| Date initiated | November 12, 2014 |
| Recalling firm | Not disclosed |
| Units affected | About 30,000 in the United States and 11,300 in Canada (an additional 110,000 were previously recalled in the U.S. in March 2013) |
| Distribution | Not disclosed |
Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What product was recalled? ▼
This recall involves all Aqua Lung buoyancy compensator vests with SureLock II rubber handles attached to the weight pockets, including those with SureLock II handles that were replaced in the previous recall. The handles are gray rubber, measure about 2 inches tall by 4 inches wide and extend from the forward end of the ditchable weight pockets. SureLock II handles were installed in most Aqua Lung and one model of Apeks buoyancy compensators including: all discontinued Black Diamond, Pro QD and Pro QDi3 models with serial numbers lower than BB408620. The recall also includes all Apeks Black Ice, Axiom, Axiom i3, Balance, Dimension, Libra, Lotus, Pearl, Pearl i3, ProLT and Zuma models with serial numbers lower than BB408620. The buoyancy compensator's model name is embroidered on the inside back pad or on the right lobe. "Sure Lock" is molded into the back of the weight pocket. The serial numbers are located on a tag under the back pad of the buoyance compensator or inside the pocket. Earlier models could have the number printed on a tag behind the hook and loop inflator hold down on the left shoulder.. Units affected: About 30,000 in the United States and 11,300 in Canada (an additional 110,000 were previously recalled in the U.S. in March 2013).
Why was this product recalled? ▼
The rubber handles can detach as divers are trying to remove the weight pockets to rise to the surface in an emergency. This poses a drowning hazard.
What should consumers do? ▼
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled buoyancy compensators and return the two weight pockets to an authorized Aqua Lung dealer to receive a free inspection and free newly-designed replacement weight pocket handles.
Which agency issued this recall? ▼
This recall was issued by the CPSC on November 12, 2014. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 15022.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall? ▼
Check the product description and recall number (15022) 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.
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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.
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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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS — demographic + housing + income data. census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — wage + employment by occupation. bls.gov/oes
- BEA Regional Economic Accounts — GDP + personal income by state/metro. bea.gov/data/regional
- U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns — establishment + employment by industry. census.gov/cbp
- IRS Statistics of Income (SOI) — tax-return aggregate data. irs.gov/statistics
- data.gov — U.S. federal open-data portal — discovery layer for additional federal sources. data.gov
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).