Inflator Hose Recall by SiTech

[DiveJedi]

SiTech Inflator Hose Recall

Revised April 9th, 2009

SiTech, a leading distributor for inflation hoses has issued more information regarding a hose recall issued in March.

The following is a list of instructions regarding a SiTech inflator hose recall, issued by SiTech. Please follow the below instructions to ensure your hose is no longer in question, please review all instructions before beginning.

1) Inspect your inflator hose at the threaded end for a batch number.
2) Compare the number on the hose with the list of recalled numbers issued by SiTech.
3) 3) If your hose is within the affected hoses, take your regulator to your nearest Whites dealer for the following service.
4) Remove the hose from your regulator 1st stage.
5) Inspect the threaded end of the inflator hose for the flow restrictor. If the restrictor is present complete the following 3 steps:
a) Remove the flow restrictor as indicted on the SiTech website or follow the video from YouTube.
b) Before reinstalling the hose on your 1st stage, a dot needs to be punched on the threaded end hex nut on the flat of the hex next to the batch number, use a nail punch or an awl - This dot indicates that the hose has been checked and is no longer in question.
c) Reinstall the hose onto the 1st stage.
6) If the inspection of the hose and the batch number indicates there should be a flow restrictor and one is not present, and the hex does not have the punched dot, then all hoses & regulator first/second stages must be inspected by an authorized regulator technician to ensure the restrictor in question is not in the regulator.
7) Once the regulator and hoses have been inspected, punch a dot on the hex next to the batch number to ensure that the hose is no longer in question.
8) If a flow restrictor was not present but was listed as an affected hose, fill out the SiTech Forms and submit to SiTech.

FAQ's

1. As a consumer can I do this myself?
All consumers should take their regulator into their nearest Whites dealer; the dealer will inspect the regulator for the flow restrictor in question.
2. How do I remove a restrictor from the inside of a hose?
The second stage hoses should be disconnected from both the first and second stages (primary and alternate). Using a low pressure air gun, blow air through the end of the hose to dislodge the restrictor (air should flow freely through the hose)
3. Do I have to have my 2nd stages inspected as well?
It would be highly unlikely that a flow restrictor could enter the inside of a second stage; however an authorized regulator technician should inspect the second stage to be sure.

More information can be found on the SiTech Website www.sitech.se/index.html


If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Whites Manufacturing directly

1-250-652-8554
1-866-652-8556
whitesale@whitesdiving.com
www.whitesdiving.com

 

[Plumb bob]

Not so much as a sorry for dicking you around? Sending stuff away for recalls and filling out overly "officious sounding" forms is not why we buy dive gear you know.

Who is paying for 1st stage inspections in countries where you don't have dealers dotted around the place?

Who is paying for shipping of these hoses?

Sorry if this seems harshly spoken but the usual air of indifferent coldness that permeates these recall notices makes me think that you have lost sight of the fact that you are a business not a government.

 

[DiveJedi]

Thank you for your comments, Whites has been very concerned about this recall from the day that SiTech originally posted the recall in March. We were provided with very little information from SiTech in March - we were concerned about the retrofit - originally SiTech announced that all black and blue restrictors should be removed and replaced with the green ones. Whites never felt that this was an adequate solution - how do we know these won't come out as well?
Getting flow restrictors to every consumer would be very challenging...
Do we really need the restrictor?

After pushing SiTech for more information and documentation they issued another recall regarding the green restrictors; pull all restrictors out, which is where we are now.

We will apologize on behalf of SiTech, and I will personally apologize if you felt my original recall was "cold". Having said that - I can assure you that we are looking out for your best interest and always have.

Cheers,

 

[Plumb bob]

Ok fair enough, I was somewhat under the erroneous impression you fellas were more involved with SiTech than it appears you are..

Thanks for the response.

 

[SDAnderson]

Not so much as a sorry for dicking you around? Sending stuff away for recalls and filling out overly "officious sounding" forms is not why we buy dive gear you know.

Who is paying for 1st stage inspections in countries where you don't have dealers dotted around the place?

Who is paying for shipping of these hoses?

Sorry if this seems harshly spoken but the usual air of indifferent coldness that permeates these recall notices makes me think that you have lost sight of the fact that you are a business not a government.

About the flow-restricted hose:

SI TECH suit inflation hoses supplied to drysuit manufacturers have a flow restriction orifice to make it easier for less experienced divers to determine their buoyancy. The flow restriction will also reduce the loss of pressure to the second stage in case the inflator valve should get stuck open and it will minimize the harm that a free-flowing hose can cause to people and equipment.

If connected to a first stage with lower intermediate pressure than 10 bar the flow restricting orifice insert in the hose attachment nipple can be removed to increase the flow.​

The problem is with the flow restriction device - in other words, the training wheels might fall off. If you think you have one of the offending hoses and don't want to deal with the recall, throw the hose away and replace it with a standard LP inflation hose. It will cost you your lunch money for a day or two but it will give you fodder for several years worth of indignant rants - priceless!

Lighten up, Francis.

 

[DiveJedi]

Please be advised that SiTech has asked us to make some minor changes to our recall - the changes have been made on the recall above.

Our sincerest apologies for the changes, again we have your best interests in mind. Feel free to keep up to date with SiTech here.

Thanks again...

Tyler

 

[Plumb bob]

About the flow-restricted hose:

SI TECH suit inflation hoses supplied to drysuit manufacturers have a flow restriction orifice to make it easier for less experienced divers to determine their buoyancy. The flow restriction will also reduce the loss of pressure to the second stage in case the inflator valve should get stuck open and it will minimize the harm that a free-flowing hose can cause to people and equipment.

If connected to a first stage with lower intermediate pressure than 10 bar the flow restricting orifice insert in the hose attachment nipple can be removed to increase the flow.​

The problem is with the flow restriction device - in other words, the training wheels might fall off. If you think you have one of the offending hoses and don't want to deal with the recall, throw the hose away and replace it with a standard LP inflation hose. It will cost you your lunch money for a day or two but it will give you fodder for several years worth of indignant rants - priceless!

Lighten up, Francis.

Good on ya Francis, Just throw it and buy another.. that's a solution? Brilliant more trash, just what we need.

Sometimes there is more history than is easily posted, suffice to say it can be very frustrating dealing with some manufacturers.

If you find my indignation unpalatable, it wasn't intended for your consumption.

Cheers
Rob

 

[Teamcasa]

The fix took me less than five minutes for both of my hoses. Thanks for the update.

 

[SDAnderson]

Good on ya Francis, Just throw it and buy another.. that's a solution? Brilliant more trash, just what we need.

Sometimes there is more history than is easily posted, suffice to say it can be very frustrating dealing with some manufacturers.

If you find my indignation unpalatable, it wasn't intended for your consumption.

Cheers
Rob

See! I told you - you'll be milking this tragedy for years.

History works like a rear view mirror: an occasional glance is a good thing but you need to keep your attention focused on where you're going - not where you've been.

 

[Plumb bob]

Now who's miking it eh?? :lol: