Black Diamond Issues Voluntary Recall For Pieps & Black Diamond Avalanche Transceivers In North America

Just gonna keep this short. Here’s Black Diamond’s statement on the recall (COMPLETE INFO HERE):

Black Diamond Equipment, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada, is voluntarily recalling its PIEPS and Black Diamond branded avalanche transceivers. Affected models include the PIEPS Pro BT, Powder BT, DSP Sport, DSP Pro, DSP Pro Ice, Micro Button BT, Micro BT Sensor and Micro BT Race avalanche transceivers and the Black Diamond branded Recon BT and Guide BT avalanche transceivers.

This voluntary product recall follows a previous Safety Check Notice when Black Diamond first identified an issue in April. The Safety Check Notice is now an official Voluntary Recall in coordination with the CPSC and Health Canada with the same recommended actions as in the original notice.

The reason for the voluntary recall is related to a material handling / assembly anomaly in manufacturing which results in the avalanche transceiver not being able to switch into SEARCH mode. If this were to occur in the field, the user would potentially be unable to locate a buried victim, which could result in a prolonged burial, and possible injury or death of the victim.

Consumers who own one of these avalanche transceivers should immediately stop using it and perform a safety check to verify if the device is affected. Black Diamond requests that you perform a device (following the below instructions) to verify that the device switches from SEND to SEARCH mode properly. If it turns out that a mode is not working properly, the affected device should no longer be used and must be returned immediately to Black Diamond / PIEPS for repair or replacement free of charge. We recommend you follow best practices and always check both SEND and SEARCH functions on your safety device prior to each use.

For more information or to submit a warranty claim, please visit the following:

If you are located in North American: go HERE
If you are located in Europe: go HERE
If you are located outside of North America and Europe, please visit your local Black Diamond Distributor. You can find a list of local contacts HERE

If you have additional questions, please contact Black Diamond at 866-306-0865 from 9AM to 4PM MT Monday through Friday, or email us at 2022beaconrecall@bdel.com

Left to Right: PIEPS Micro BT Button, PIEPS Micro BT Race, PIEPS Micro BT Sensor, PIEPS Powder BT, PIEPS Pro BT

Left to Right: PIEPS DSP Pro, PIEPS DSP Sport, PIEPS DSP Ice, Black Diamond Recon BT, Black Diamond Guide BT

Please follow the respective steps for your avalanche transceiver:

Mode verification instructions:

PIEPS Micro BT Button / Race

Turn the device on. Wait for the display of the Software Version, as well as Self Check Result and for the Group Check Countdown to be completed.
The device is now in SEND mode with the SEND symbol (“X”) flashing.
Press the SEND/SEARCH button. The display will show a flashing flag and a countdown (3 seconds).
Confirm to switch to SEARCH mode by once pressing (not holding) the Mark button within the countdown.
If your device is now in search mode (“–” search symbol displayed), you are NOT required to submit the form below.
If your device cannot be switched into the search mode, please enter your details below and we will contact you.

Additionally, you can perform a device check via the PIEPS App: 

To activate Bluetooth press MARK button while switching on beacon. As soon as the Bluetooth symbol is shown on the display, the MARK button can be released.
Make sure Bluetooth is activated on your phone. Open the PIEPS App on your phone and click on “Connect Bluetooth Device”
Select your device
Go to Device Check, press start and follow the instructions.
Make sure the device check result shows “OK”
If the device check is negative, please enter your details below and we will contact you.

PIEPS Micro BT Sensor

Turn the device on. Make sure the display of the device is facing upwards and the proximity sensor is not covered.
Wait for the display of the Software Version, as well as the Self Check Result and for the Group Check Countdown to be completed. The device is now in SEARCH mode (“–” search symbol). (1)
Cover the sensor with your thumb until the countdown appears and keep it covered for the duration of the countdown, so that the beacon switches to SEND mode (“X” send symbol).
To remain in SEND mode, keep the sensor covered.
Uncover the sensor to switch to SEARCH mode. The lock symbol appears on the middle left side of the beacon. SEARCH mode is now locked. Switching to SEND mode by covering the sensor is now not possible.
Unlock SEARCH mode by holding the mark button for 3 seconds. The lock symbol disappears on the display.
If switching between the modes and unlocking the SEARCH mode was successful, you are not required to submit the form below.
If unlocking the SEARCH mode is not possible, please enter your details below and we will contact you.
If your device is in Bluetooth mode after power on without pressing the Mark button, submit the form below.

PIEPS PRO BT / PIEPS Powder BT / Black Diamond Guide BT / Black Diamond Recon BT

Move the slider lock to the left and the mode slider upwards in the position SEARCH.
Make sure the SEARCH symbol (- -) appears on the display
Move the slider downwards, until it locks in position SEND
Make sure the SEND symbol (X) appears on the display
Move the slider lock to the left and the mode slider downwards in the position OFF.
Make sure that beacon is turned off.
If switching between the modes is not possible, please enter your details below and we will contact you.

Additionally, you can perform a device check via the PIEPS App:

To activate Bluetooth press MARK button while switching on beacon. As soon as the Bluetooth symbol is shown on the display, the MARK button can be released.
Make sure Bluetooth is activated on your phone. Open the PIEPS App on your phone and click on “Connect Bluetooth Device”
Select your device
Go to Device Check, press start and follow the instructions.
Make sure the device check result shows “OK”
If the device check is negative, please enter your details below and we will contact you.

DSP Sport

Press the lock button and move the slider upwards in the position SEARCH.
Wait for the display of the Software Version and Self Check Result.
Make sure SEARCH symbol (- -) appears on display
Move slider downwards, until it locks in position SEND
Make sure SEND symbol (X) appears on display
Press the lock button and move slider downwards in the position OFF.
Make sure that beacon is turned off. Check if the display and control LED (top of device) are turned off.
If switching between the modes is not possible, please enter your details below and we will contact you.