About 20,300 Halcyon diving equipment product OPV’s, made in the U.S. by Halcyon Manufacturing Inc., of High Springs, Fla., are being recalled because they pose a drowning hazard for divers. The over-pressure valves in the diving equipment could fail, allowing the buoyancy compensator devices and the diver lift inflatable devices to leak. No incidents or injuries have been reported.

From the Halcyon Website:

Halcyon OPV Spring Recall Information – VIDEO presentation

The highest priorities of Halcyon Manufacturing are the quality of our products and the safety of our customers. We are posting this information you to provide details regarding the voluntary recall of select Overpressure Relief Valve (OPV) Springs.
Halcyon Manufacturing Inc. in cooperation with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission has initiated a voluntary recall of select Eclipse, Evolve, Explorer, Pioneer and CCR35 buoyancy compensator’s (BCDs) manufactured between January, 2006 and September, 2008. In addition, select Halcyon inflatable devices (Lift Bags, SMBs, DAMs, Surf Shuttles and Diver Lift rafts) may also be affected.

These BCDs or Inflatable Devices could develop excessive corrosion or rusting problems with the stainless steel Over Pressure Valve (OPV) spring, causing the spring to fail and the BCD or Inflatable Device to leak through the OPV. It is unlikely that most of these units will experience any problems since the potential defect is limited to a very small portion of the total number of OPV springs used during this time period. However, given the potentially serious implications all OPV springs should be checked to minimize risk or inconvenience to Halcyon customers. BCDs manufactured after September, 2008 are not included in this voluntary recall.

Please reference this website information, or visit your local Authorized Halcyon dealer, for details on how to identify the BCD serial number. Inflatable Devices do not have serial numbers and should be checked based on customer purchase date if possible. If there is any doubt as to the serial number or date of purchase, Halcyon recommends inspecting the OPV spring at the request of the customer.

Worldwide Halcyon distributors will be initiating a similar inspection and replacement process through their dealer networks. Halcyon Manufacturing, Inc in High Springs Florida will also inspect those BCDs or Inflatables sent directly to our facility, replace the OPV spring if necessary and provide free return shipping to the customer.

We apologize for this inconvenience and encourage Halcyon BCD and Inflatable owners with questions to contact their local Halcyon dealer, regional Halcyon distributor or Halcyon Tech Services directly using the following contact information.

Halcyon Headquarters Contact Information:
1110 S. Main St., High Springs, FL 32643
Hours of operation: 8am – 5pm EST, M-F
1-800-HALCYON (800-425-2966) x307
techservices@halcyon.net
Halcyon Worldwide Distributor Contact
Information can be found at:
http://www.halcyon.net/distributors

The following steps will assist the customer in identifying the serial number on their Eclipse, Evolve, Explorer, Pioneer or CCR35 buoyancy compensators (BCDs) manufactured between January, 2006 and September, 2008. If you cannot locate a serial number on your BCD please contact us.

If the serial number begins with the following sequence, the OPV spring in the BCD should be inspected:
61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 6A, 6B, 6C, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 7A, 7B, 7C, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89
Video review of affected products

  1. The OPV on your BC or your inflatable product can be checked by a technician. Please share this information with your technician to ensure no mistakes are made. Also, please refer to the online video at www.halcyon.net/opv-recall-videos for a detailed overview. The OPV cover should be turned counterclockwise until the cap can be removed. To replace the cap after inspection, be sure the threads are set properly by turning slightly counter-clockwise and then turn clockwise until the cap is seated firmly. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. It is possible to damage the threads and/or crack the OPV cap.
  2. After being re-assembled you should verify the integrity of the fitting and the function of the OPV. Pull gently on the OPV string to be sure the spring functions. Pressurize and submerge the wing in water to check for leakage.
  3. If defective, the spring should be removed and replaced. The new spring should be obtained from a Halcyon Authorized facility and threaded into the pull dump cord.
  4. If your technical or dealer experience any problems please send the affected product directly to Halcyon for evaluation.
  5. If there is no serial number on the wing, the wing was manufactured prior to 2004 and is not part of this recall.
  6. If for any reason the customer believes there may be an issue with an OPV spring but the serial number is missing or outside the range of Serial Numbers given, Halcyon and its Dealer and Distributor Network will also inspect and replace, if necessary at no charge to the customer.

Halcyon Inflatable products are not serialized therefore customers who purchased a Halcyon Inflatable product in 2006, 2007 or 2008 are encouraged to check the inflatable OPV spring.


A non defective OPV spring will look like these. Some discoloration is common. Spring should remain strong, and appear ‘normal’ when dirt or coloration is removed
Detailed video clips to aid in evaluation and replacement can be found here.

A defective OPV spring will look like this. Note excessive corrosion in the OPV assembly. When scraped off the spring exhibits possible pitting and damage.

To ensure long term functionality of your Halcyon BCD or Inflatable, it is important to thoroughly rinse the BCD or Inflatable post dive including all fabric, plastic and metal components. Please reference your Halcyon BCD Product Manual or access online at: http://www.halcyon.net/manuals
Please contact Halcyon Technical Services with any questions: techservices@halcyon.net

The recalled products were sold at diving equipment retailers and distributors from January 2006 through December 2008.

Details: by phone at 800-425-2966;

on the Web at www.halcyon.net/opv-recall or www.cpsc.gov.