The dissociation dynamics of the reaction CF₂Br₂+hν→CF₂+2 Br have been studied for a variety of dissociation energies, E_diss=460–535 kJ mol⁻¹ (corresponding to λ=260–223 nm). The laser induced fluorescence spectrum of nascent CF₂ products was measured for various dissociation energies within this range. Analysis of the spectra yielded the CF₂ vibrational distribution and average rotational energy. The translational energy of CF₂ was measured ia the Doppler broadening of various fully resolved rovibronic transitions. The most detailed analysis of energy disposal in the CF₂ fragments was carried out at E_diss=486 kJ mol⁻¹ (or λ=246 nm). At this energy each degree of freedom of CF₂ had an average energy of E_vib=0.4±0.2 kJ mol⁻¹, E_rot=2.5±0.5 kJ mol⁻¹, and E_trans=24±3 kJ mol⁻¹. These CF₂ energies, coupled with the available thermochemical data, allow us to determine unambiguously that CF₂ production must be accompanied by the production of two atomic Br fragments. A photofragment excitation spectrum of CF₂Br₂, probing for the production of CF₂ fragments, provided a reaction threshold of 460±3 kJ mol⁻¹ (corresponding to 260±1.5 nm). The range of previously published reaction enthalpies varies from 392 to 438 kJ mol⁻¹, all of which are substantially below the observed threshold. Additionally, at E_diss=486 kJ mol⁻¹, the energy of the CF₂ fragment was 27 kJ mol⁻¹ on average, already in excess of the available 26 kJ mol⁻¹, and without considering the kinetic energy of the recoiling Br atoms. We rationalise these data by proposing that the reaction might have a small barrier in the exit channel. The observed threshold corresponds to the top of the barrier (460 kJ mol⁻¹), while the final energy in the fragments is determined by the asymptotic reaction energy (∽424 kJ mol⁻¹). Simple dynamical models are presented to show that the proposed mechanism is reasonable. Key future experiments and calculations are identified that would enable a clearer picture of the dynamics of this reaction.