Avalanche Beacons Class Action

Welcome to the Avalanche Beacons Class Action Website

All Canadian residents who purchased a PIEPS DSP Sport, a PIEPS DSP Pro, or a PIEPS DSP Pro Ice (the “Beacons”) in Canada from January 1, 2013 to April 12, 2021 (the “Class” or “Class Members”) have the right to know about a proposed settlement that has been reached in a lawsuit Rawski v. Black Diamond Equipment et al., S.C.B.C. No. VLC S-2010419 (the “Class Action”).

On June 13, 2025, the BC Supreme Court certified the Class Action for the purpose of settlement. A copy of the Court’s Order can be obtained here.

The proposed settlement of the Class Action must be approved by the Court to become binding. The settlement is a compromise of disputed claims and is not an admission of liability or wrongdoing or fault by any of the Defendants.

The Plaintiff who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Class Members is Adam Rawski (called the “Representative Plaintiff”).

The lawyers for the Class are Rice Harbut Elliott LLP (“Class Counsel”).

Background

The Class Action alleges that PIEPS branded Beacons were not safe for their intended use and the Defendants failed to warn consumers about the risks of a defective locking mechanism on the Beacons which caused the Beacons to unexpectedly change modes from “send” to “search” or “off”.

The Defendants deny the allegations, which have not been proven, and are defending the lawsuit.

Who is eligible to receive money under the Settlement?

The Class consists of:

All persons resident in Canada, except for the Defendants and their officers and directors and any of the heirs, successors and assigns of the Defendants and their officers and directors (the “Excluded Persons”), who purchased electronic avalanche transceivers in one of the following three (3) models: 1) PIEPS DSP Sport, 2) PIEPS DSP Pro, or 3) PIEPS DSP Pro Ice (the “Beacons”) in Canada from January 1, 2013 to April 12, 2021 (the “Class Period”).

If you are not sure whether you are included in the Class, you can ask for free help by calling the settlement administrator at 1-833-777-7763 for more information. You can also email [email protected].

Your Options Now:

1. Participate: If you are a Class Member and you want to participate in the settlement, you do not need to do anything. You are automatically included as a Class Member unless you opt out of the applicable proceeding.

After the Court approves the settlement, you will be notified in writing regarding how to apply for compensation.

You may contact Class Counsel if you would like to be notified when this information becomes available.

2. Opt-Out: If you do not want to participate in the settlement, you may exclude yourself (“Opt Out”) from this Action. Any Class Member who elects to Opt Out of the settlement of this Action and does so successfully (the “Opt Out Individuals”) will have the option to start their own individual action against the Defendants at their own expense. Class Counsel warns those individuals who are contemplating Opting Out that if they choose to Opt Out and pursue their own individual lawsuit at their own cost, they will likely face significant challenges proving their case, as did the Plaintiffs in this Action. If unsuccessful in prosecuting their own action, the Opt Out Individuals may be responsible for the payment of costs to the Defendants. Such costs will be the sole responsibility of the Opt Out Individuals.

If you Opt Out, you will not be able to make a claim for compensation under the proposed settlement.

In order to Opt Out, you must complete and sign an Opt-Out form and deliver it to the Claims Administrator (Verita) by pre-paid mail, courier, or email no later than the Opt-Out Deadline, which is 60 days after the date on which this Notice was first published, or November 24, 2025. The Opt-Out form is available here.

The Opt-Out form must be emailed to [email protected] or mailed or couriered to:

BLRQ Claims Administrator

c/o Verita Global

1480 Richmond St. Unit 204

London, ON N6G 0J4