Apeks Issues Voluntary Safety Recall for Selected XL4, XL4+ and OCEA Second Stages

Published 2 weeks agoon July 2, 2026

Apeks has issued a voluntary safety recall for selected XL4, XL4+ and OCEA second stages and octopuses.

According to HEAD Watersports S.p.A., the distributor and importer of Apeks products in the European Union, the recall is being conducted in coordination with the manufacturer, Apeks Marine Equipment Ltd.

Products Affected

The recall applies to the following Apeks second stages and octopuses:

XL4
XL4+
OCEA

The affected serial numbers are 250402212 to 260402893, inclusive.

Reason for the Recall

Performance testing identified that certain affected second stages do not meet the requirements of the EN 250 safety standard.

According to Apeks, a defect in the spindle mould tool has allowed the spindle assembly to be installed incorrectly. Under demanding diving conditions, particularly at depths exceeding 45 metres, this can restrict the flow of breathing gas, posing a risk of inadequate air supply to the diver at depth.

As a result, affected regulators must not be sold or used at any depth until they have been inspected and, where necessary, repaired.

Action Required

Dealers have been instructed to:

Remove all affected units from sale, rental, demonstration and distribution immediately.
Inspect and process affected units in accordance with the official recall and service instructions.
Check all XL4, XL4+ and OCEA second stages with serial numbers between 250402212 and 260402893, inclusive.
Contact customers who may have purchased an affected regulator and instruct them to stop using it immediately and return it for inspection.
Display the official consumer recall notice in-store for at least 12 months, or until further instructions are received. Dealers selling Apeks products online are also asked to publish the recall notice on their websites, social media channels, newsletters or other online platforms.

Customers whose regulator serial number falls outside the affected range may continue using their regulator. Anyone who is unable to verify the serial number should stop using the regulator until it has been inspected and, where necessary, repaired in accordance with the official recall procedure.

For the official recall and service instructions, visit:

dam.mares.com/collections/public/5dq9qt-safety-recall

The official consumer recall notice is available here:

uk.apeksdiving.com/pages/recall-information-xl4-xl4-ocea?shpxid=c747f042-3b36-4ca2-b267-745dee0e15fb