Backcountry Access issues recall on Float avalanche airbag trigger systems

Backcountry Access issued a recall and safety alert for its 2011/12 and 2012/13 Float avalanche airbags, saying that the trigger systems potentially could fail.

The Boulder, Colo.-based winter safety brand, acquired by K2 and its parent company Jarden Corp. in Jan. 2013, said the retaining ring, or E-clip on some of its Float trigger systems “can inadvertently be removed or become dislodged” when connecting it to the compressed air cylinder. “If this occurs,” officials said, “the airbag may not deploy properly when the trigger is pulled.

A “limited number of warranty returns” brought attention to the issue, and no injuries have been reported, officials said. The affected trigger assemblies have a ‘lot letter’ on the trigger handle, and the population includes lots A through E. This includes the BCA Float 30, 18, 36, 22, 32 and Throttle. The Float 30 with T-handle is not included. Any Float packs received after July 1, 2013 are also not affected.

Backcountry Access advised consumers and retailers to immediately stop using or selling the packs and contact the company at 1-800-670-8735 or warranty@backcountryaccess.com for a free trigger upgrade that would fix the issue.

“The upgraded trigger assembly is standard on all 2013/14 airbags and utilizes a hex crimp instead of an E-clip as a retention solution,” officials said.

BCA is working with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on the recall.

For more information, download the recall and safety notices.

–David Clucas