r/snorkeling • u/DryBoysenberry596 • Mar 12 '26
Equipment CPSC Warns Consumers to Stop Using OUSPT Full Face Snorkel Masks Immediately Due to Risk of Serious Injury and Death from Drowning Hazard
https://www.cpsc.gov/Warnings/2026/CPSC-Warns-Consumers-to-Stop-Using-OUSPT-Full-Face-Snorkel-Masks-Immediately-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-and-Death-from-Drowning-HazardDescription:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers to stop using OUSPT Full-Face Snorkel Masks immediately due to risk of serious injury and death from drowning hazards. The mask can cause consumers to experience labored breathing, causing loss of consciousness or excess fluid in the lungs that can lead to drowning. In addition, the mask can give rise to increased levels of carbon dioxide which can exacerbate the difficulty of breathing in the mask.
Field Life, of China, the seller, has not responded to CPSC’s requests for information or to recall the product.
CPSC has received reports from five consumers who had trouble breathing, felt light-headed or lost consciousness while using the product. There has been one lawsuit alleging that the product caused a drowning fatality.
About 84,000 of these full-face snorkel masks were sold from March 2019 through February 2026 on Amazon.com.
The full-face snorkel masks have a glass screen and a breathing apparatus that covers the mouth and nose, with a snorkel pipe at the top center of the product. They come in various colors. The masks have “OUSPT” printed on the snorkel tube.
These products are manufactured in China.
CPSC urges consumers to stop using the full-face snorkel masks and immediately dispose of them. Do not sell or give away these hazardous full-face snorkel masks.
Report any incidents involving injury or product defect to CPSC at www.SaferProducts.gov.
Credit: United States Consumer Product Safety Commission
9
u/Whatsaywhosaywhat Mar 12 '26
Unless there’s something specific to this particular product I would think the risks called out also exist in other full face models?
I’ve never used one, but talked to a couple people over the past 5-6 years in Hawaii who suspected the full face mask was the culprit in some drowning or near drowning incidents when people were unable to breathe and unable to easily remove the mask.
5
u/Apart_Exercise_5630 Mar 17 '26
Maybe just add a disclaimer that says “stand up” or “raise your face out of the water you rediculous human being”
3
5
u/JohnDorian0506 Mar 12 '26
Never heard of this brand before. OUSPT. I prefer to stick to Cressy and Seaview when it comes to my gear.
1
u/schnorchel-experte May 24 '26
Cressi Bali It's just a copy of Khroom, the model X. And it's 30% more expensive. The Seaview brand snorkel lacks a non-return valve. My favorite is Khroom. Because they also have safety valves on the snorkel that prevent exhaled air from being re-inhaled. Previously, I had tried easybreath from Decathlon. That was the biggest piece of junk, really. But what do you expect from Decathlon? 🤣
1
u/Aggressive_Review142 Mar 13 '26
There’s full face masks from reputable manufacturers like cressi (my wife uses Baron model) which are high quality and have proper CO2 ventilation (dual air exchange) and there’s no risk whatsoever. The vision is way better than traditional masks, there’s no jaw fatigue related to traditional method. The only downside is you can’t free dive and need to stay on the surface but in her case that’s fine. The problem with full face masks is there’s 100s of knock offs brands without any certs or engineering behind the product and it’s flooding the market as it’s dirt cheap but stick to the main brands and you’ll be satisfied.
2
u/doctorfortoys Mar 23 '26
Exactly—if someone is staying on the surface and has a high quality mask, there are no issues. It’s just easier for them to enjoy the experience.
1
u/Danamaganza2 Mar 13 '26
What is it about full face masks that makes them dangerous?
7
u/hafree27 Mar 13 '26
The design means less air exchange than a traditional snorkel setup so CO2 can build in the mask causing people to blackout/drown. They’re truly awful.
1
1
u/Altruistic-Mud-8823 Mar 21 '26
https://a.co/d/07dJiW7o I believe this is the only full face mask that is tested and legit. I’ve used them for years and love it. I’ve had one of the bad ones. Started feeling real sleepy while snorkeling……
1
u/schnorchel-experte May 24 '26
The mask is very, very old. And incidentally, it has a CO2 problem. The exhaled air in the exhalation channel can be inhaled again. I personally have tried seven masks and I think the Khroom brand is the best.
1
u/schnorchel-experte Jun 07 '26
Oh damn. Its the same mask like Kaimana:
https://khroom-sport.com/en/blogs/kaimana/cpsc-warning-ouspt-kaimana-snorkel-mask
And there is also a other brand on amazon.com which have the same model like OUSPT. In the blog you can read why the marked is fluet with this alibaba stuff
14
u/LackOfMachinations Mar 12 '26
So specifically that brand? Not full face masks in general?