On April 12, 2021, Black Diamond announced a recall of the Pieps DSP Sport, Pro and Ice model beacons. But the recall might not mean what you think.

Consumers have been waiting a long time for this moment. Since a group of pro skiers posted a series of viral Instagram videos that illuminated the potential for certain models of Pieps DSP beacons to inadvertently switch modes last spring, we’ve all been left wondering: How much of an issue is this? And how is Pieps/Black Diamond going to fix it?

In a statement issued on April 12, 2021, consumers finally got the information they were waiting for. And some might be confused.

First off, it’s worth pointing out a few basic things outlined in the statement (linked here):

1) BD acknowledges a problem, as indicated in the statement title:

BLACK DIAMOND RECALLS PIEPS DSP AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVERS DUE TO RISK OF LOSS OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS

2) The company then declares which models it is recalling:

“Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada, is issuing a voluntary recall of the PIEPS DSP Pro, DSP Pro Ice, and DSP Sport avalanche transceivers with neoprene carrying case. The units were sold from January 2013 through November 2020 only.”

The recalled beacons, from left to right: DSP Pro Ice, DSP Pro and DSP Sport

3) Things get a little murky when presenting the need for the recall:

“The reason for the recall is that the transceiver can switch modes unexpectedly when not locked or installed in the harness (italic ours for emphasis). When this occurs, it will prevent the transceiver from transmitting a discoverable electronic signal and can make it difficult to locate a skier in an avalanche, which can result in severe bodily harm or death.”

Note here that the problem is on the transceiver not working properly only when not in a harness.