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Head Watersports recalls Apeks XL4, XL4+, and XL4 Ocea regulators due to a spindle defect that limits airflow beyond 45 meters. Check serial numbers and learn about the recall process.
Important Recall: Apeks XL4 Regulator - What Every Owner Needs to Do Now
A regulator is a piece of equipment you never compromise on. When a manufacturer like Apeks (part of Head Watersports, which also owns Aqualung) issues a recall, the only sensible thing to do is to check your own equipment before going diving again.
Head Watersports has initiated a voluntary worldwide recall of Apeks XL4, XL4+, and XL4 Ocea second-stage regulators. Here's what you need to know, without exaggeration or downplaying the issue.
What is being recalled, and why?
The recall was initially announced by Apeks itself on July 2, 2026, before any regulatory requirement. It was then formalized by the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission, the US consumer product safety authority) on August 6, 2026, and subsequently reported by Product Safety New Zealand, the Irish CCPC, and Health Canada around the same time. This is a multi-country regulatory escalation of the same issue, not a newly discovered defect.The recall applies exclusively to Apeks XL4, XL4+, and XL4 Ocea regulator second stages. These models were sold between April 2025 and June 2026, at a price ranging from approximately 220 to 980 euros (converted from 260 to 1,140 US dollars, based on the current exchange rate). According to Health Canada, 91 units were sold in Canada and 1,059 in the United States during this period. The CPSC estimates that approximately 1,105 units are currently on the market in the United States.
The identified defect affects the spindle, the control shaft of the second stage. In some units, this spindle can restrict the airflow available to the diver at depths greater than 45 meters. This is a different mechanism than the Hollis 200LX recall addressed earlier this summer, where the risk stemmed from a rupture of the inlet tube. Here, the issue is a reduction in airflow, precisely at a time when depth is already increasing the diver's air consumption. The CPSC considers the risk to be serious, with a potential for drowning.
How to Check Your Regulator
The markings XL4, XL4+, or XL4 Ocea are located on the body of the second stage. The serial numbers affected range from 250402212 to 260402893, according to the official CPSC notice and the technical documentation published by Apeks (us.apeksdiving.com/pages/recall-information-xl4-xl4-ocea).
If your regulator matches this model and serial number range, do not make a personal judgment based solely on reading the serial number. Contact an authorized Apeks or Aqualung dealer for confirmation.
---## What to do, in order
Stop using the regulator immediately, including for pool use or introductory dives. Contact your nearest authorized Apeks or Aqualung dealer to arrange for the free replacement of the spindle assembly. You can also contact Head Watersports directly at 800-874-3236 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Eastern Time) or by email at [email protected].
The repair is free, regardless of the purchase date of the regulator.
What this recall highlights, beyond the XL4
What Apeks did well here is to initiate the recall voluntarily, as early as July 2nd, without waiting for the formal US regulatory process on August 6th. This is the same approach that was taken in the Hollis 200LX case earlier this year. The speed and transparency of the response are more important than the existence of the defect itself. No regulator manufacturer is completely immune.
What this doesn't change: checking your equipment before every dive remains a crucial step, not an option. A functional octopus, a buddy who is aware of the air sharing procedure, and a visual inspection before entering the water remain the best protection against any defect, whether known or not yet identified.
Emergency procedures, redundancy, and safety protocols are at the core of the AquaExposure training. Not optional, but fundamental.**Prices converted from US retail prices (current exchange rate on the date of writing). The actual price in Europe at the time of the original purchase may have differed.
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Questions about the Journal
Which Apeks regulators are affected by this recall?
The second-stage regulators XL4, XL4+, and XL4 Ocea, sold between April 2025 and June 2026, are priced between approximately 220 and 980 euros, depending on the model (converted from 260 to 1,140 US dollars, US retail price). Other models in the Apeks range are not affected.
How can I find out if my regulator is included in the affected serial number range?
The serial numbers affected range from 250402212 to 260402893, according to the official notice from the CPSC (the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission) and the manufacturer's technical documentation. If you are unsure about your serial number, contact an authorized Apeks or Aqualung dealer for verification rather than trying to determine it yourself.
What is the exact risk associated with this regulator?
The spindle on the second stage can restrict the amount of air available to the diver at depths beyond 45 meters. A restricted airflow at this depth can lead to drowning. This is the risk identified by the CPSC in its official notice of August 6, 2026.
What should I do if my regulator is affected?
Stop using it immediately. Contact an authorized Apeks or Aqualung dealer for a free replacement of the spindle assembly, or contact Head Watersports directly at 800-874-3236 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time) or by email at [email protected].
Does this recall call into question the overall reliability of the Apeks brand?
A voluntary recall, announced by the manufacturer itself before any regulatory obligation, is not a sign of irresponsibility. Apeks initiated this recall as early as July 2, 2026, even before the U.S. CPSC formally issued its own notice on August 6th. What matters to a diver is the speed and transparency of the process, not the absence of a defect.
