A major outdoor clothing brand has issued an urgent recall of four buoyancy aid products across the UK, after manufacturing faults were found to pose a serious risk of drowning, with customers told to destroy the items with scissors before receiving a refund.
Helly Hansen confirmed the recall affects the Sport II, Comfort Compact, Rider Kayak Vest and Rider Foil Race buoyancy jackets. Faults in the products mean they fail to provide sufficient buoyancy and turning momentum to bring a wearer face-up in the water, significantly increasing the risk of water inhalation and potential drowning.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has ruled that the affected jackets do not meet the requirements of the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations 2018. All sizes of the recalled products have been flagged, including the Sport II in size XXS, designed for users weighing between 30 and 40kg.
Helly Hansen has instructed anyone who owns one of the affected jackets to stop using it immediately and destroy it according to instructions published on the company’s website. Owners are told to fasten all buckles and zips on the buoyancy aid intact, then use scissors to cut across the shoulder seams connecting the front and back panels of the garment. Once the cuts have been made, customers can send Helly Hansen a photograph showing the irreversible damage to the shoulder seams in order to receive a refund, or contact the company directly to arrange a return.
Helly Hansen is a Norwegian outdoor clothing and equipment brand best known for its sailing, swimming and snow sports apparel. While the company operates only one dedicated UK store, in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, its products are widely sold through major retailers including John Lewis, Next and Sports Direct.
