Redpoint Descender - Stop-use Notice
Stop Use Notice
Redpoint™ and Auto-Belay Descenders
October 14, 2009
MSA very recently became aware of two incidents where climbers using Redpoint
Descenders experienced rapid rates of descent resulting in injuries. Our preliminary
investigation indicates an issue with the one-way bearings provided by our supplier,
which may prevent the brakes from engaging during descent. Due to the nature of this
condition, the users were not able to detect the problem before the rapid descents
occurred.
This Stop Use Notice applies to the following descender units:
• All Redpoint Descenders (part numbers 10024873, 10027646, and 10027798)
regardless of the date the unit was manufactured or last serviced,
• Auto-Belay Descenders (part number 10021806) manufactured or last serviced
on or after June 30, 2000.
The part number, date of manufacture, and date of last factory service of the unit is
located on the white date of manufacture label affixed to the back of the housing.
Based on these findings, we are advising affected users to discontinue using the
Redpoint and Auto-Belay Descenders indicated above. Please forward this notice
to all appropriate personnel.
We regret this inconvenience; however, we recognize that this condition represents a
potential safety concern. MSA will issue a follow-up notice shortly, after conducting
further investigation into this matter. During our investigation, we will not be shipping
any Redpoint Descenders currently on order or in for service, and we will not be taking
any new orders.
If you have any questions, please contact MSA Customer Service at 1-800-MSA-2222
or 412-967-3000.
Very truly yours,
Charles J. Seibel, Jr.
Manager of Product Safety
PPL08040-08