There have been two major avalanche incidents involving the Pieps DSP Pro and DSP Sport beacons, prompting spreading demands that Black Diamond/Pieps issue a recall.
Update 10/22/20 Yesterday, Pieps issued the following Instagram statement:
We know that confidence in your equipment is key. If you have any concerns about your DSP Pro/Sport, please contact us. We will offer you an upgrade to the latest generation of our avalanche transceivers. Contact us at dsp@pieps.com
Update 10/21/20 Since first publishing this piece on 10/20/20, we have received word there is a class action lawsuit. We have not confirmed this with Pieps, Black Diamond or over arching Clarus Corporation.
If you’ve spent any time on Instagram or Facebook over the past week, you’ve likely caught wind of an issue with Pieps DSP Pro and DSP Sport beacons. The warning call was first sounded by Christina “Lusti” Lustenberger via Instagram and has since snowballed into a chorus of recall demands from professional athletes and recreational skiers alike.
To summarize, Lusti and her ski partners Nick McNutt and Ian McIntosh were on set for the new TGR film “Make Believe.” They started the day with routine beacon checks, went on to ski some sweet spines and then opted for an end of the day pillow run. As Nick started down the run, he kicked off a massive pillow that funneled into his exit, thereby sweeping him into several trees before burying him. (Video below). His crew rushed to his aide but couldn’t get a signal from his beacon. A lucky probe strike got them digging in the right spot, and they were able clear his airway just after five minutes. Once he’d been rescued, they discovered his beacon was switched off.
Among the reasons this could have happened is a potential fault in the Pieps DSP on/off switch. While there is a lock mechanism intended to keep the switch in position, anecdotal reports claim the switch is faulty. Lusti and her team believe that its possible the beacon switch (which was secured in a chest harness) got bumped when Nick was getting raked through the trees.
After the incident, Lusti reached out to her network of skiers and found others who had experienced similar issues. The team also reached out to Pieps about the issue, who asked that Nick send the beacon in for testing. Somewhere in transit, (perhaps due to Covid, this occurred last spring), the beacon got lost. Nick gathered other DSP Pro and Sport beacons to send for testing.
Lusti’s Instagram posts have gone viral, as have widespread demands that Pieps issue a beacon recall. It also prompted a post by Bri Howard whose husband, Corey Lynam, was killed in an avalanche near Whistler in 2017. He was wearing a Pieps DSP beacon which had apparently switched modes at some point during the avalanche. This was a more high profile incident involving a police report and the beacon in question was sent to a third party tester in Europe. It was cleared and deemed functionally sound.
We reached out to Pieps yesterday and they said they will issue a statement in coming days. So far, the brand is standing by the functional integrity of the beacons and that they have met all industry standards throughout the course of thorough, long term testing. Pieps released the following statement in an Instagram post six days ago that says as much and includes a tutorial on how to check the condition of the beacons:
“We have received inquiries about the design and safety of the Pieps DSP Sport and DSP Pro avalanche beacons.
These beacons have undergone vigorous testing and exceed all certification standards. They have been sold globally since 2014 and used by countless backcountry travellers ever since.
A beacon is a personal safety tool which must be properly used and maintained. Any misuse may compromise its functionality. Please refer to the video on the fourth slide for how to inspect your beacon.
Your safety in the backcountry is our top priority. Please reach out to Black Diamond Equipment in North America and Pieps in Europe if you need further information or if you are unsure how to verify the condition of your beacon.”
So what should we make of this?
The possible potential for switch malfunction is an issue we’ve alluded to in a few other articles on this site including Louie’s Black Diamond Recon BT review and Lou’s comparison of several beacons in his article How Your Beacon Can Kill. Are there elements of user error causing the beacons to fail? If the beacons have met industry safety standards, does that then mean there’s an issue with the standards themselves?
We will continue to update this article as more information comes in. Lou is also working on some of his own tests, which we will publish results on once we have something definitive.
For clarity, this issue has been observed in the older DSP Pro and current DSP Sport models which have been in the global retail market since 2014. Pieps is a sister company of Black Diamond.
Manasseh Franklin is a writer, editor and big fan of walking uphill. She has an MFA in creative nonfiction and environment and natural resources from the University of Wyoming and especially enjoys writing about glaciers. Find her other work in Alpinist, Adventure Journal, Rock and Ice, Aspen Sojourner, AFAR, Trail Runner and Western Confluence.
39 comments
This is scary… I’ve owned multiple beacons and always wondered about the switches, especially since I carry mine in a pocket and not a harness. So far, so good, but it’s always that one time…
I would definitely start using that harness, especially for this beacon.
From what I’ve read, the harness seems to be part of the problem
I’ve been fiddling with mine to decide whether it is safe or not. Here is another way it can fail:
With my DSP Pro inserted in the harness as shown in the manual, if you apply some pressure to the buckle (which sits directly on top of the “lock”) it becomes quite easy to slide the switch from send to off. Here is a vid: https://bit.ly/3kgnw9L
Note that the switch on my beacon can’t be easily forced from SEND to OFF. It is solid. But the amount of pressure to “unlock” the switch is quite light.
I believe the correct way to carry the beacon in a harness is with the screen facing the user’s chest, so you have it reversed. But that does look scary.
This is actually more dangerous. I have been testing my own beacon and when switch and screen faces body, the switch is even easier to activate and slides extremely easily to other modes
I do wear my beacon with the screen facing in. It actually fits best in the harness when facing in and down, and “facing in” has long been the prevailing wisdom of how to wear a beacon. But the manual for the DSP Pro/Sport, as noted in my post, shows it facing out:
https://beaconreviews.com/manuals/Pieps-DSP-Sport_2014-10-22.pdf
The same thing CAN happen with the screen facing in, but it requires a good bit more pressure.
apparently there’s a class action lawsuit launched.
https://rhelaw.com/class-action/pieps-black-diamond-avalanche-beacon-class-action/?fbclid=IwAR0cI0YjnTpK0oUR5JWt_7hS4td7O_9XpMyKWZkK4eyefo30W21DhHXs6OA
It is interesting to note that the lawsuit lists:
Black Diamond Recon BT;
Black Diamond Guide BT;
Pieps DSP Sport;
Pieps DSP Pro;
Pieps Powder BT; and
Pieps Pro BT.
as all affected. The BD recon with the sliding button is a slightly different design and seems less likely to inadvertently open. So what’s wrong with that one?
I imagine it is harder to add new members to a class than to shrink the class. Seems like SOP for legal claims to make the widest claim initially, and then contract as needed.
Interesting. PIEPS recently posted on IG that “Confidence in your equipment is key” and that they’re offering upgrades: https://www.instagram.com/p/CGlBzHUlNL7/?utm_source=ig_embed But what’s to inspire confidence that the other models don’t have issues with the local mechanism?
I returned my Pieps DSP Sport in 2017 after this occurrence (from my email to the authorized seller):
Issue 1. After a day tour I pulled the beacon out of the harness to shut it off, and I noticed that it was off, as in – nothing on the display, no LED blinking, the switch is in Send mode. I moved the switch to the Off position and then to Send again, it turned on normally and the battery indicator showed full batteries. I was not able to replicate this behavior, but still – needless to say how unsettling it is! Basically, it’s hard to rely on this beacon as a life saving tool.
Issue 2. This one consistently does not work. Marking button does not work when doing multiple burial search. It detects two beacons correctly, but
when I push Mark button, nothing happens. It used to work previously, but I haven’t tested it in awhile, until yesterday.
I also had this issue a few times, BD warrantied my DSP Pro with the new versions. Still made me nervous
Also experiencing this same problem – attempt to warranty it through BD Europe resulted in a returned beacon with the note “All functions operating as normal.” As a professional mountain guide, I found this response quite disturbing.
My beacon’s mark function also did not work. BD replaced my beacon in early 2020 but I no longer trust it with the variety of issues I am reading about now (some of them tragic).
Marking function on my Pieps DSP was also not functioning properly. Needed to press and hold at least twice before it would mark it, wasting precious time…
Have been interested in this since I first saw on Instagram. Twice over the past two years when I got home from a day of geriatric bumbling in the mountains I found my Pieps DPS pro turned off. Both times I thought maybe I had turned it off at the car when I took my jacket off but could not specifically recall doing so and attributed it to late 60’s forgetfulness. Now I am suspect of the beacon itself rather than me!
As always, sorry to see lawyers get involved… will be interesting to watch, and see how the prove their claims, or perhaps they settle these sorts of things without anything going public? Any legal minds out there care to comment?
most probably a design flaw or design not fulfilling the expectations. as owner of Mammut Barryvox Opto 3000 i can say the slide-switch in Mammut {in any current model as well} is always perpendicularly operated to axis/side of the transceiver. Mammut surely knows why they designed it in this way and how secured this set up is. the physical “stick out” portion of the switch is always either an OFF {older Opto} or SEARCH position. modern Mammut models have that switch designed in a way to jump in a millisecond {from SEARCH to SEND} should second avalanche occur/be spotted {just by a simple push}. that is some of the safety behind the switch and its positions. preparation is safety’s first and logic is safety’s follow up. Pieps’ design is ready for a big refresh {since many years}.
A switch that’s supposed to stay in position in a violent situation, as opposed to a switch that can be quickly and easily switched with one hand, or somehow easily with two hands, back to transmit, the conflict in those design parameters is difficult, if not impossible given constraints of budget and such. My opinion is that this thing about easy switching in case of a secondary avy is somewhat of a canard, a theory that flies in the face of what 99.9999 percent of folks need in a beacon. If CE certification of a beacon requires the switch be so easy to operate, then CE needs a spanking. I’m starting to think a good idea with _any_ beacon might be to duct tape the switch in the on/transmit position at the start of the day. Wouldn’t be the first time for this sort of thing. I can recall several beacons over the years that required mods to make the on position 100% reliable. Heck, in the 1970s there was a beacon that had a 9 volt battery we duct taped to prevent it coming loose. It had no problems with the switch, as it didn’t have one (smile).
I returned My DSP sport after the battery door hinge broke resulting in the batteries not staying connected. I discovered this issue when I heard it beep on numerous times on an ascent, sketchy. The guy I talked to at BD implied that this was a known issue. I asked for another model but he said they didn’t have any so sent me another sport. Now, this other issue arises… looks like a good year for the other manufacturers’ sales…
Comparing most of today’s avalanche transceivers to other hand held electronic devices shows that they are clear lacking.
Many have 1960’s cheap flimsy transistor radio type plastic cases, battery compartments, and switches.
Avalanche transceivers should be ruggedized shock resistant and water/dust resistant (MIL-STD-810). And locking switches on portable radios has been a standard for many decades.
Not good! As mentioned above, these items should be made tougher, they are supposed to work 100% after an avalanche which could have generated enough force to break many bones on the victim. Tough design is why I like Casio G-Shock watch’s & Petzl Pixa headtorches!
I had this issue with the PEIPS sport beacon.
The little plastic tab that is depressed to “unlock” the slider had cracked, so the slider moved freely. I had had it one season.
They warrantied it and sent me another, which I promptly got rid of.
I should have said : the hairline crack in the lock tab wasn’t noticeable. After a beacon check, I tucked in into the holster and went off on a tour. When I got back to the car, it was off. The slider moved freely and so the action even of putting it into the holster may have turned it off or it just slid around on its own.
Thanks for sharing this article. Interesting stuff.
Per usual, social media used for a witch hunt. Avalanche beacons are — best effort — to save lives. I own both DSP Pro and DSP Sport. After reading all the social media crap, filtering out the 95% noise out of it, I checked mine, and they work 100% as intended. I had to apply excessive force to the lock, either directly or through the sleeve to allow the switch to move. I won’t speculate, but I’m with Pieps on this, this is most likely user error than anything else. Additionally, skiing big lines, hitting big trees, well… Mechanical damage to the beacon can happen and disable it. I’d say big celebrity skiers are a special market and perhaps they should be served by more ruggedized, special tools, and many times more expensive.
Given that Low Dawson and Wildsnow.com state that the Pieps DSP beacons “certainly [have] a design flaw”. I would have thought that Lou and Wildsnow would have added a note about the design flaw, to WildSnow’s prior reviews of the Pieps DSP beacons. Thoughts from Low and Wildsnow about this?
See https://www.wildsnow.com/26974/beacon-review-black-diamond-recon-bt/
“The switch appears similar to the previous generation, but a major flaw has been fixed. The switch on the older Pieps DSP beacons could get inadvertently switched off while in its case. To be clear, this was difficult to do, and I’m not aware of it causing any serious incidents, but it was certainly a design flaw.”
In the spirit of “better late than never”, should WildSnow.com now add a note about this design flaw, to its prior reviews of Pieps DSP beacons Thoughts?
– Jane Skier
Thanks for the suggestion, Jane. We have added a note in previous reviews.
I had noticed an earlier reference to the Pieps Pro BT, which I got last year. I have tried to switch from Send to Receive and it does lock. On the other hand, with minimal force it does shift from receive to send…presumably not such an issue.
Oh, and I forgot to mention, when I contacted BD, they were very receptive, they mentioned the issue with the DSP Pro / DSP Sport was not a problem on the BT model, and they were quite happy to receive a warranty replacement request.
TT
Have the DSP Pro and it has worked fine in my designed pocket with lanyard. With that said, there were a few times over the years when on a tour, I pulled out my beacon and it was off and it was because I failed to insure it was on and switch was properly set. Yes, some time skiers just forget such things….like after a beacon test, you fail to return your beacon to SEND, or actually turn it off in the haste for turns. If it is not seated properly it will slip. So double check your beacon. I have used Pieps for years and they work fine. A previous Pieps version did a have cracked switch but it still seated properly for each function..
As I was taking my beacon to BD store for the warranty an idea hit me. If you store the beacon in the provided case with face toward your body, all you really have to do is cut a hole in the case to fit the protruding button through. That way there’s nothing to press against it to release the lock. The case is thick enough to protect the button from being pressed with your rib or something.
The Pieps DSP switch issue Louie alludes to in his blog post review of the Pieps/BD Recon: https://www.wildsnow.com/26974/beacon-review-black-diamond-recon-bt/ had to do with the case. The operative word in his writing is the word “could” as we knew of no verifiable incidents when this actually happened during real-world use. Nonetheless, I’ve never preferred the DSP Sport because of the switch. I have a DSP Sport here at WildSnow test labs. Will wring it out and perhaps share the results. Stay tuned.
As for lawsuits, what often happens is a settlement and non-disclosure, and we the public never learn the details. On the other hand, if a CPSC official recall occurs in conjunction with legal action, or in lieu of, we get to learn what’s going on.
Another thing: I’ve said it before. I dislike the switches on most beacons. In my opinion, the switch should firmly and inadvertently LOCK in every mode with near zero chance of moving without user intervention — and each mode should be a firm stop to any switch movement, with clear indication of what mode the unit is in.
Lou
What Matt said, “If it is not seated properly it will slip” is in my opinion a very real issue with the DSP Sport switch, and can be easily demonstrated. For example, I can easily slide the switch from off, part way to the SEND lock, and it’ll turn on to SEND _without_ locking, and thus slides easily back to the OFF position. This could easily be construed as a problem. In my opinion, it indeed is.
Thank you for raising the issue of standards. My read of the standards (marked draft) found on the ETSI website is they address in great detail frequency and related performance. There was no mention of standards related to mechanical switching noted. Perhaps there is an opportunity for the industry to advance the standards for beacon design.
I noticed the switch problem with mine last winter. The lock that keep the switch in position no longer functioned. I had to take care after turning it on and putting it back in the harness not to switch it off. It’s a defective switch issue. The beacon has not been abused or dropped or damaged in any way that would affect the switch. I always thought the switch was a pain in the ass and a weak point. My beacon is only a couple years old. If BD doesn’t offer some sort of compensation for a new beacon, that will be the last time I buy any BD equipment.
Following Pieps Instagram post stating “If you have any concerns about your DSP Pro/Sport, please contact us. We will offer you an upgrade to the latest generation of our avalanche transceivers. Contact us at dsp@pieps.com.”
Looks like they have now done an about face on the above. This is the bullshit response I got when I asked to have my DSP Sport replaced (I have also had the mystery shut off while in send mode and several switch shutoffs). They are now claiming wear and tear/abuse is the cause of the problem….
Dear Mr. ________,
thanks for your message.
We have received several inquiries related to the security of the switch mechanism of the DSP Sport and DSP pro avalanche beacons. We have been in close contact and dialog with athletes and professionals on this issue since Nick McNutts accident in BC, Canada. In response to these requests we have performed significant additional testing on these beacons in used and new condition. The findings are simple and significant at the same time. The lock mechanism of the DSP Sport and DSP Pro is not in any way compromised due to design or production issues. Yet we all saw the Instagram posts over the last few days and the explanation is as simple. Avalanche beacons are products built for the extremes, still they need a certain amount of maintenance as all your outdoor gear does. The evidence suggesting the slider to be faulty by design was corroborated with a heavily damaged beacon. PIEPS encourages all users to inspect their beacons at least before and after the season for mechanical damage due to use or accidents. We urge you not to go out with a broken beacon as, like all beacons it can not guarantee its reliability and performance when broken. Nevertheless PIEPS, in close cooperation with the Black Diamond quality lab has done extensive research and testing on this particular beacons which we are happy to share.
Switch Performance Testing
Testing has shown no change in switch resistance for used DSP beacons with heavy use.
DSP beacons that have had their switch overridden (intentionally forced between modes without depressing the lock button), show a reduction in switch resistance which is further reduced after multiple cycles. The reduction in switch resistance due to override is variable, but not as severe as lock/switch mechanisms with visibly damaged lock buttons.
Different lock mechanisms
Comparative evaluations were also made between the DSP lock/switch mechanism and lock mechanisms currently on the market. The purpose of this evaluation was to compare the likelihood of interference with various switching mechanisms by determining the number of independent actions required to switch the designs evaluated on/off and between modes. While all mechanisms evaluated have strengths and weaknesses, and met the EN 300 718-1 standard, the DSP lock/switch mechanism as found to be comparable in terms of security to other lock designs on the market.
Conclusions
Perform beacon partner checks regularly when in avalanche terrain, ensure that your beacon is locked in the send mode, and carried in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendation.
All beacons can be overridden and/or manually damaged. Never intentionally force a beacon power or mode switch between positions and retire your beacon immediately if it has been damaged.
Inspect your beacon regularly for signs of wear or damage (see below).
Contact the manufacturer if you have any questions regarding proper use or inspection results
If you have any concerns, I can offer you a free of charge device service.
Please use for that your device service form attached.
Note in the comment field: “Free Device Service”
My DSP pro started turning on and off today while in my pocket (no harness). Upon further inspection, just the slightest amount of pressure on the slider would cause this to happen even though it was still locked in send mode. After watching it for a while I got an E2 message and then the beacon froze. Not sure what is going on but I just sent in my warranty claim for both of my DSP pros to BD. I’ll let yall know what they do.
I’ve never had a problem with my DSP Sport (as far as I know), but sent it back simply for the untrustworthy nature around a device so central to life and death. That was two weeks ago, and no word back from BD/Pieps. It’d be nice if they put a hustle on this matter…we’re skiing here in northern MT, and I need a damn beacon!
Comments are closed.