12/7/09 Challenge Towers received the following information regarding MSA Redpoint Descenders. Please read the following and pass on to anyone who has yet to be informed.

MSA ANNOUNCES PLANS TO DISCONTINUE REDPOINT AUTO BELAY
MSA issued a stop use notice on October 14, 2009 and an update on November 3, 2009. Experiential Systems was informed today that MSA intends to discontinue the Redpoint Descender.

MSA is in the process of developing a reimbursement program for eligible Redpoint and Auto-Belay Descenders. The reimbursement program plans are currently being reviewed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Following the CPSC review, MSA plans to issue a recall notice to owners and distributors of the affected products, including instructions for the return of units.

It is important that the Stop-Use remain in effect. Please do not use any Redpoint Descender or affected Auto-Belay Descender. As a reminder, the Stop-Use Notice applies to the following descender units:

All Redpoint Descenders (part numbers 10024873, 10027646, and 10027798) regardless of the date the unit was manufactured or last serviced.
Auto-Belay Descenders (part number 10021806) manufactured or last serviced on or after June 30, 2000.

If your units are registered with MSA, then you should get this notice directly from them. Make certain that all of your units are registered with them, especially if you have had them less than a year and/or have not sent them in for factory service yet. You will need to work out your "reimbursement" directly with MSA.

If you have any questions, please contact MSA Customer Service at 1-800-MSA-2222or 412-967-3000. If you would like to view the original notice it is here.