Skywalk is the first manufacturer to integrate RECCO into its harnesses. Often it is the view beyond the horizon that leads to significant product improvements. That’s why skywalk, the Bavarian paraglider manufacturer, closely monitors trends in the outdoor industry. Since 2017 skywalk has been integrating RECCO reflectors into its harnesses that are otherwise widely used in parkas, hiking pants, gloves and backpacks. With this modest effort, skywalk has helped to increase considerably the safety of its customers.
As with most sports equipment, a good paragliding kit is the sum of many items. A good harness – the pilot’s seat – distinguishes itself not only by its ability to help the pilot transmit power from his body to the wing, but also by a high degree of comfort and maximum safety.
Protectors in the back area can protect against spinal injuries during aborted launches and crashes. To help quickly locate downed paraglider pilots, skywalk, an innovative paraglider and harness manufacturer based in southern Germany, has integrated RECCO reflectors in its harnesses since 2017.
As the first paraglider manufacturer, skywalk integrates RECCO reflectors as standard equipment in all current RANGE X-ALPS2 and CULT4 harnesses.
Emergency physician Dr. med. Christian Freund agrees. Dr. Freund, who supports the mountain rescue services in the Bavarian town of Chiemgau, added: “As in other outdoor sport, this rescue system can greatly increase the chances of a downed paraglider pilot being found by a professional search team.”
Today, paraglider pilots fly distances of up to 572 kilometers with their 20 to 25 square meter canopies. In the Alps they fly triangle routes of more than 300 kilometers that get close to the performance of sailplanes. If a pilot has an incident while flying over impassable and remote terrain, the RECCO system enables a wide-area search, for example from a helicopter.
“The Bavarian Mountain Rescue Services use RECCO often when searching for people” adds Thomas Griesbeck, Member of the Management Board of the Bavarian Rescue Services.
So far, thankfully, no paraglider pilot equipped with the RECCO system has had to be rescued. But as we say, prevention is better than cure.
In 2019, RECCO will equip all athletes in the Red Bull X-Alps with reflectors in helmets, backpacks and clothing. Skywalk has been the main paragliding sponsor of the toughest adventure race in the world since 2015 and will continue to equip its harness range with RECCO reflectors.
So far, thankfully, no paraglider pilot equipped with the RECCO system has had to be rescued. But as we say, prevention is better than cure.
More information:
www.skywalk.info
www.redbullxalps.com
RECCO® advanced rescue technology makes outdoor enthusiasts searchable to rescuers in case of an avalanche accident or when lost in the outdoors. The technology builds on a two-part radar system. Rescuers carry RECCO® detectors that send out search signals which are echoed by RECCO® reflectors, carried by the user. RECCO® detectors are used worldwide at more than 900 ski resorts and mountain rescue organizations in 32 countries. RECCO® reflectors are integrated into select apparel, helmets, protection gear and boots manufactured by more than 150 leading outdoor brands. RECCO AB was founded in 1983 in Sweden and is owned by its founder Magnus Granhed and the publicly traded investment company Traction AB (listed on OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm). More info at recco.com
