Press release
June 12, 2019
Innovative RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector technology will help save lives
Stockholm, Sweden – June 12, 2019 – With over 42 million participants, hiking is one of the most popular sports in the United States. Add in countless mountain bikers, cross country runners, climbers and other outside enthusiasts, there are bound to be a few people who get lost while enjoying the outdoors. Most of these individuals will find their own way home, but for those who end up well off the beaten path RECCO rescue reflectors may be the single most important piece of gear they’ll have.
While the hand-held RECCO detectors are effective, they can’t quickly and effectively search hundreds of square kilometers in all types of terrain. That’s why the development of the RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector is considered one of the most important advances in search and rescue technology in the latest years.
RECCO reflectors make you searchable to organized rescue teams. Popular among skiers and snowboarders, RECCO reflectors provide an extra level of searchability in case of an avalanche or other mishap. Brands like Patagonia, Helly Hansen and Arc’Teryx, have many pieces of clothing and gear with embedded reflectors. Currently at over 900 locations worldwide, ski patrols and other search and rescue professionals use RECCO detectors.
With the ability to quickly and efficiently locate hikers, climbers and any other individual equipped with a RECCO reflector who is lost in the roughest terrain, RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector technology is currently deployed in 11 locations across Europe. North America is not far behind, with operational systems currently in use by Montana’s Two Bear Air Rescue and the Utah Department of Public Safety Aero Bureau. In Canada, British Columbia’s North Shore Rescue Group, is also equipped with a RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector. Numerous other SAR organizations across North America are interested in this ground-breaking technology.
The RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector marks the evolution of RECCO technology from avalanche rescue to year-round search and rescue, providing outdoor brands the opportunity to integrate RECCO reflectors into their product lines ensuring that the outdoor enthusiasts who rely upon technical gear for their adventures have an additional layer of safety and rescuability when they venture into the wilderness.
Brands integrating RECCO reflectors for this summer season include: Kühl, Tatonka, Asolo, Jack Wolfskin, Dachstein, Haglöfs, RevolutionRace, POC, Bergans, Ortovox, Grivel, Beal, Boeri, Ferrino, CAKE and Montura.
RECCO will be showcasing this important new technology at both the Summer Outdoor Retailer trade show, June 18 to 20, in Denver and also at the Outdoor by ISPO Trade show, in Munich, from June 30 to July 3. To preview this technology and learn more about how the RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector can save lives, please visit our RECCO booths. At the OR show in booth 34121-UL or at the Outdoor by ISPO in booth B5-112.
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
