Rod

My son is age 14 and passed his PADI scuba exam at 12. A couple of months ago we bought him a Beuchat Master Lift BCD. He has used it half a dozen times in a swimming pool. When he used it a couple of days ago he came over to the pool side after some time submerged holding something he said had dropped off his BCD. I looked and it was the gas release valve that should have been in the end of the manual inflation control tube (sorry if I don't use the right terms I'm not a diver). He said he had come to the surface and immediatly started to sink back into the pool. He couldn't get back with the BCD and swam to the top, not far of course in a pool. Somebody else had spotted this valve on the pool floor. When I saw what it was and thought what the consequences could have been if he were on a deeper dive I was horrified. I examined the valve and pushed it back in place. It clicked into place, but I could very easily just pull it out again. I examined for damage, there was absolutely none, it looked perfect. I studied what was supposed to hold it in place. It is one tiny plastic spring strip. I woldn't trust it to hold some sheets of paper togther let alone to have a life and death role. This useless spring clip has to hold back the pressure the floation bag holds. When it falls out like this deflation is instant and cannot even be replensihed by mouth. I have got my money back on what appears to me to be a lethal BCD, but i feel morally obliged to let any user or would be purchaser know that this item has a major safety floor that under the wrong circumstances could cost them their lives.

I am also interested to know if anyone else has had this problem.

Rod Nottingham UK