Everything you want to know about the RECCO® system
Who isn’t familiar with RECCO? More than 900+ rescue services and organisations worldwide work with the system and many brands have provided their gear and apparel with a RECCO reflector. It’s a short introduction of a great addition to the avalanche beacon, shovel and probe when you’re riding in the backcountry.
RECCO has been working on their product continuously since 1983 and they made some great progress over the last couple of years. RECCO offers rescue services an extra tool in their search for people who got missing in the outdoors or who were caught in an avalanche.
How does the RECCO System work?
It takes two to tango and that’s exactly what the system is all about. On the one hand there is the famous reflector that you’ll find in or on your ski boots, helmets and apparel. At just 4 grams, RECCO reflectors are lightweight, require no batteries or power, and are always ready to use. And there is the search device. Both need each other.
The specially developed reflector that consists of antennas that are adjusted so that they resonate at a correct frequency. The search device emits a highly focused beam of radio signals, precisely on the frequency at which the RECCO reflector resonates.
The reflector then doubles these signals and sends it back, so that the person who operates the search device knows that he or she has found a RECCO reflector.
Despite the confidence that rescue services have in the system, it has also been criticized for a while. The public opinion was (and sometimes still is) that is isn’t a useful product. For example, they would say that the RECCO system would protect you from avalanches and that it could replace the avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe. Sheer nonsense. A reflector is NOT a substitute for the avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, it’s a compliment.
So, what is the RECCO system exactly?
A RECCO reflector - the ideal supplement?
With so many rescue services and more and more brands that put the reflector in their gear, dancing the tango has become possible almost everywhere. If you carry a RECCO reflector in your gear, you give the rescue services an extra frequency next to your avalanche transceiver, where they can quickly locate you in an emergency. It’s simple: a RECCO reflector offers you extra possibilities when the shit hits the fan.
Especially when you consider that there are more alpine hazards than just avalanches. RECCO technology makes you searchable to rescuers if you get lost while biking, running, hiking, or participating in similar outdoor activities.
Innovations
The RECCO system keeps improving. In order to provide further assistance to rescue services, the SAR (Search and Rescue) detector was developed partly in cooperation with Air Zermatt. The ideal way to quickly and efficiently scan large surfaces with the help of a helicopter. This shortens the time from being lost to being found even more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the RECCO system protect you from avalanches?
No, of course not. It is a big misunderstanding that avalanches just happen to you by mistake. In the vast majority of cases there is no question of bad luck. In 90-95% of the cases the avalanche is caused by the rider (or someone in the group) himself. The bad news is that we often cause them ourselves, the good news is that you can prevent yourself coming into an avalanche with the right knowledge.
Is the RECCO system a replacement for avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe?
No. It complements this holy trinity of avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe. Never go out alone and never without the right gear when you want to ride off-piste. If you go out alone there is no one who can help you If something happens. In addition, avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe are the ideal tools for your friends to carry out a rescue operation. By alerting the rescue services directly via GSM, they can provide assistance as well. With additional avalanche transceivers, rescue dogs and RECCO detectors, they can quickly search large areas.
What is the range of the RECCO system?
The range of the handheld detector is 80 meters through the air, 20 meters through a snow cover. When searching for victims, rescue services work in strips of 20 meters (10 meters on the left and 10 meters on the right), making sure they don’t miss anything.
Do I need to replace batteries with a RECCO® reflector?
No, it is a passive reflector. It reflects a signal. Batteries are not necessary.
Can I use a RECCO reflector instead of an avalanche transceiver?
No, the RECCO reflector is an addition to your avalanche transceiver. Always go out with the holy trinity: avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.
Can rescue services simultaneously use avalanche transceivers and RECCO detectors during a search operation?
Yes, the systems are complementary to each other and certainly do not get in each other’s way.
Can the RECCO detector be used from a helicopter?
Hell yes. It is an ideal device for rescue services to start a search from a helicopter. The RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector can scan 1 km2 in 6 minutes, making it ideal for missing person situations. A large area can be scanned in a short time, if you compare to the time needed for a ground search team to search the same area.
Do I need to register?
No you don’t. The RECCO reflector requires no registration or being switched on. Although, let your friends and family know that you do carry a reflector on your next hiking adventure. This information can save precious time in case something happens and a search team need to go look for you.
How do I know if my product is equipped with a RECCO reflector?
The RECCO logo is visible on the outside of your garment, or a RECCO specific hangtag with is included when purchasing your product. If you haven’t planned on investing in new apparel or gear, it is possible to purchase a reflector that can be added to your helmet, backpack or as a belt here.