Recall: Wild Country Ltd. Recall of Helium Carabiners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 21, 2004 Release #04-219

Firm's Hotline: (800) 997-HELI CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

CPSC, Wild Country Ltd. Announce Recall of Helium Carabiners

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: Wild Country-brand Helium carabiners used in rock climbing

Units: About 1,000

Manufacturer: DMM Engineering, of Gwynedd, U.K.

Supplier: Wild Country Ltd., of Tideswell, Derbyshire, U.K.

Importer: Excalibur Distribution, of Sandy, Utah

Hazard: The carabiner gate may come open under a heavy load, which will significantly reduce the strength of the carabiner. The carabiner could break if the climber falls, posing a risk of serious injury or death to the climber.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Description: These are Wild Country-brand carabiners sold under the following model names: Helium Dyneema, Helium DYN QD 5 X 13, Helium Clean Wire, and Oxygen-Helium. They are marked with batch codes AAA, AAB, AAC, AAD, AAE, and AAF. "Wild Country" and the model name are written on the carabiners.

Sold at: Recreational sports stores nationwide from April 2004 through July 2004 for between $11 and $25.

Manufactured in: United Kingdom

Remedy: Consumer should call the firm for instructions on returning these carabiners. The firm will reimburse shipping expenses and send the consumer a replacement.

Consumer Contact: Call Wild Country toll free at (800) 997- HELI between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.wildcountry.co.uk