In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Scubapro is recalling about 1,800 of its G500 regulators. The VIVA control knobs on these regulators can come off during a dive, allowing water to rush into the regulator, which could result in a drowning.

Scubapro has received six reports of the VIVA control knob detaching from the regulator, two of which occurred during a dive. According to Bonnie Pollack of Scubapro and the CPSC, no injuries or fatalities had been reported from the malfunction of the VIVA knob.

The G500 second-stage regulators involved in this recall were sold from March 1997 through June 1997 and have serial numbers up to 13497450. The serial number is located on the bottom face of the exhaust manifold.

If you have a G500 second stage involved in this recall, stop using it immediately and contact your nearest authorized Scubapro dealer to arrange for a free replacement of the VIVA control knob. All other questions should be directed to Scubapro (800-467-2822). Under no circumstances should anyone dive with these regulators until they have been repaired.

J. Q.

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