RECCO History
Join us on a journey through time to learn more about the evolvement of RECCO technology from an avalanche system to a year round search system, and catch a glimpse of the future that lies ahead.
Celebrating 40 years of RECCO
Since 1983, we have been dedicated to our mission of making everyone in the outdoors searchable and help the rescue community save lives. We believe that current and future technology can fullfill our mission. We continue to discover new ways of making people searchable in the outdoors with RECCO technology.
Join us on a historic journey to discover the development of RECCO technology, how we work today,
and what the future holds.
Part One: Technology
Technology
Focus on the development of the RECCO technology. From our first detector R1 up until today with the latest handheld detector R9, and the RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector. Learn about the development of reflectors and detectors.
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Magnus Granhed
Founder of RECCO
"The development of the RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector has allowed us to evolve from an avalanche system to a year round system, to search larger areas in shorter times, and fit all outdoor activities."
Olle Berg
Product Manager
"Our first RECCO detector weighted about 20kg. Since then we’ve come a lot further with a weight of 900g for the handheld detector."
Olle Berg
Product Manager
"The evolution in technology has allowed us to develop new reflectors for new product categories, like shoes, where durability is the biggest challenge."
Magnus Granhed
Founder of RECCO
"Since 1983, Air Zermatt has always been a key partner in the development of the RECCO technology."
Part Two: Brands
A Collaboration That Makes a Difference
From the very beginning, RECCO's vision was to partner with like minded companies in the outdoor space. Initially the plan was to integrate RECCO technology in alpine skiing equipment. “We envisioned the RECCO reflector to be used together with ski boots,” explained Magnus Granhed, the founder of RECCO.
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Magnus Granhed
Founder of RECCO
"From day one the mission was very clear, make people electronically searchable for professional rescue teams, with a maintenance-free and cost-efficient solution."
1986
RECCO reflectors first integrated into clothing
The legendary alpinist Patrick Vallençant with the French brand Degré7 was the first one to integrate RECCO technology into their products.
Paul Rosenquist
Head of Sales
"Statistics show that hikers, climbers, trail runners, mountain bikers, paragliders and hunters are the most common groups when it comes to search and rescue. Making them searchable has been added to our mission."
Magnus Granhed
Founder of RECCO
"The RECCO SAR helicopter detector makes it possible to search larger areas and allows rescue teams to search in rough terrain year-round."
Part Three: Rescue
The Invaluable Support of the Rescue Network
Traveling back to 1983, when Magnus Granhed introduced the first prototype of the RECCO system to Beat Perren, Founder of Air Zermatt, and Bruno Jelk, Head of the Rescue at Zermatt. This meeting would later come to mark an important milestone for the future of the system.
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1983
Air Zermatt
The decision by RECCO to choose Air Zermatt as a key development partner from the beginning was obvious. Air Zermatt is one of the most experienced organizations within the mountain rescue industry.
Bruno Jelk
Former Head of Rescue
"When I saw the first SAR Helicopter Detector, I said that's great. It has a great range. I was convinced, and we confirmed through testing that you can search with a much longer range with this new device."
Magnus Granhed
Founder of RECCO
"Beat Perren (founder of Air Zermatt) and Bruno Jelk (former Head of Rescue in Zermatt) have both had a significant impact on the RECCO rescue system from the start, especially during the development phase."
Beat Perren
Founder of Air Zermatt
"I founded Air Zermatt in 1968. In the first year, we conducted more than 90 rescue flights. We wanted to improve the rescue operations. We found that RECCO was very interesting and could locate avalanche victims in a fast and precise manner."
Part Four: Future
Optimism as a
driving force
When RECCO’s founder, Magnus Granhed, presented the first RECCO Detector prototype in Zermatt, he thought that it would take three years before the system could spread globally. Ultimately, it took 30 years, a healthy dose of persistence, hard work, and a firm belief that RECCO technology would revolutionize the rescue industry. RECCO today has an incredible global network, with over 900 ski resort and mountain rescue organization partners across 32 countries.
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Magnus Granhed
Founder of RECCO
"My initial perception turned out to be way too optimistic. And this way of thinking has been the driving force ever since."
Bruno Jelk
Former Head of Rescue at Air Zermatt
"In the beginning it was very hard to convince people. Slowly, slowly it came through, and today it's not a problem anymore. There's no discussion."
Magnus Granhed
Founder of RECCO
"The shift in perception, together with the growing support from rescue organizations and the emergence of a new generation of younger professional rescuers, has also driven the development of the RECCO system."
Julia Granhed
Head of Marketing
"RECCO today is based on rescue organizations and brand partners. We are heavily prioritizing bringing these two groups together to increase safety for all recreationalists in the outdoors."
