Consumer Alert

Aeris and Oceanic have announced the recall of several dive computer models because of problems with computer shutdown and loss of dive data. The recall affects the following Oceanic and Aeris models and serial numbers: Oceanic Datamax Pro Plus, serial nos. 000100 - 001289 purchased 7/99-8/99; Aeris Savant serial nos. 0001 and 1779; and Atmos Pro, Atmos Sport, 100S and 300G computers serial nos. 0001 - 5999.

Units with larger serial numbers are not affected and are not subject to the recall. Modified Aeris units that are not affected by the recall can be identified by a black dot located on the lower left edge of the instrument face decal; modified Oceanic units not affected by the recall can be identified by a manufacturing date decal located in the upper-left hand portion of the display.

Problems apparently occur between dives when computers with a defective or low-power battery have reverted to the “fly” mode and the user then reactivates them by pressing the activation button. They can also occur at random if the user happens to reactivate the computer when it has spontaneously entered a periodic self-diagnostic voltage check. In either event, the reactivation will cause a voltage dip that shuts the unit down and erases any calculations. If a diver who has made recent dives with the computer then restarts it and uses it on subsequent dives, the diver’s subsequent dives would be calculated by the computer as if he had not been diving and therefore had no accumulated nitrogen, which would leave the diver at risk for decompression illness.

Divers with affected units should return them to the dealer from whom they were purchased or to Aeris or Oceanic directly. If divers opt to return units directly to the manufacturer, they must first call the Aeris/Oceanic numbers shown below to receive a Return Authorization number. Product return forms that will assist divers in completing their returns can be downloaded from manufacturers’ websites. For more information, contact:

Aeris Corporate Headquarters, 14212 Doolittle Drive, San Leandro, CA 94577 Phone: 800-647-0605 (Ext. 10) or 510-346-0010 or Fax: 510-346-0015, E-mail: info@diveaeris.com, Website: www.diveaeris.com

Oceanic USA, 2002 Davis Street, San Leandro, CA 94577, Phone: 510-562- 0500, Fax: 510-569-5404, E-mail: service@oceanicusa.com, Website: www.oceanicusa.com