Black Diamond Equipment Ltd. issued a recall for about 2,800 of its left and right Index Ascenders for climbing, and another 300 that were sold in Canada.
The rivet holding the toothed cam can release on these Ascenders, used as rope clamps for rock climbing and mountaineering, allowing the Ascender to slide on the rope or become detached from the rope, posing a risk of injury or death to climbers from a fall.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission put forth that consumers should immediately stop using the recalled ascenders and contact Black Diamond for instructions on inspecting and returning the product for a free replacement. BD Index Ascenders were sold at Eastern Mountain Sports, Moosejaw Mountaineering, Outdoors Inc., REI, Sport Chalet, and other specialty outdoor stores nationwide and online at Backcountry.com and BlackDiamond.com and for about $80.
The metal ascenders in the recall are orange with a black and gray grip or silver with a black and gray grip. Index Ascenders with a manufacturing code from 4356 to 6015 are included in the recall. The manufacturing code is located on the frame of the ascenders. “Black Diamond” is imprinted on both sides of the handle.
