As always, these notices trigger questions no matter how carefully we attempt to word them. Here is some clarification...
In July 2019, Dive Gear Express was notified of a safety concern regarding specific lots of low-pressure rubber regulator hoses. The hoses in question were assembled by DaniCorp that we purchased through Innovative SCUBA, a wholesale distributor serving the recreational diving marketplace, and sold by Dive Gear Express to our retail customers.
The rubber hose material is now suspected of not adhering to the ANSI Z86 7.1 standard for low-pressure hoses. This means the hose could rupture during normal operation, causing a catastrophic loss of breathing gas and the diver could sustain serious injury or loss of life. The rubber hose material itself is marked with a lot code of: 0308, 0388, 0598, 0808, 1648, 1738, or 1998 and these are the only hoses in question. The manufactured hose assembly finished goods (i.e. the rubber hose with the fittings attached) were manufactured between February 22, 2018 and September 30, 2018 have Danicorp's month-year code for date of assembly stamped on the ferrule of the fitting: D0218 through D0918. None of our flex hoses are affected, and none of our rubber low-pressure quick-disconnect BC hoses are affected.
Effective July 17th, 2019 Dive Gear Express has removed any of the described hoses from our inventory, although some of the affected hoses were in still transit to our customers on that date. Not all rubber hoses sold by Dive Gear Express are affected, because during the recall period we were transitioning to a different rubber hose supplier. However, out of an abundance of caution we have e-mailed all our customers who have or will receive from us any rubber low-pressure regulator hose from February 2018 to July 2019 a request to please inspect the date code stamp on the hose ferrule.
Any rubber regulator hose purchased from Dive Gear Express with a five-character date code between D0218 and D0918 should immediately be removed from service. We have strong evidence the hoses were sold through other channels but are not able to provide advice or service for hoses sold through other channels.
Dive Gear Express will allow you to either request a full refund OR request a replacement. We don’t need the hose returned, send us a picture that includes the date code and upon confirmation cut the fitting off. Refunds will of course be issued as soon as we receive the picture of the cut hose. We will do our best to dispatch replacement hoses immediately using our Super Saver class of shipping service, but existing inventory may not be adequate and so some people may experience a dispatch delay. If you are willing or would prefer, we can also supply our rugged DGX Premium Flex hose as a replacement instead of a rubber hose. If you have a critical need by a specific date, please let us know and we’ll make every effort to get you back in the water.
If you have any questions or concerns, we would prefer you please send them directly to Dive Gear Express at
customercare@divegearexpress.com