RECCO®
Technology
The patented RECCO® technology is a two-part system, featuring an active detector, carried by the rescuer, and a passive reflector, carried by the user.
RECCO® Reflectors
and Detectors
The RECCO® Reflector
The RECCO reflector makes you searchable to the rescuers. RECCO reflectors are lightweight passive transponders that require no power or activation to function. They consist of a diode and an antenna.
RECCO reflectors are integrated into products from more than 150 brands, including jackets, pants, helmets, backpacks, back protectors, boots, transceivers, and harnesses.
Reflectors are also available as single products to be attached to Helmets and Backpacks or within our own RECCO Belts
RECCO reflectors are designed to last a lifetime and do not age or wear out. If not mechanically damaged they will last forever.
The RECCO® Handheld Detector
The handheld detector can locate RECCO reflectors within a range up to 80 meters through air and 20 meters through packed snow, which results in a practical range of 30 meters on an avalanche debris. The current version of handheld detectors weighs 1 kg and the detectors are used worldwide by organized rescue as an additional electronic search method at avalanche rescues.
RECCO®SAR Helicopter Detector
The RECCO SAR (search and rescue) helicopter detector can cover large areas fast. Searching from a height of 100 meters and covering a search area of approximately 100 meters wide, the SAR detector enables rescuers to search 1km² within 6 minutes. The principle of locating a victim is the same as for the handheld detector with the detector sending a radar signal echoed back by the RECCO reflector. Upon receiving a returned signal, the rescuer can locate the lost individual.
How it works:
1. The RECCO detector emits a directional radar signal, like the beam of a flashlight.
2. When the radar signal hits the RECCO reflector, it is echoed back to the detector and points the rescuer in the direction of the victim.
3. The closer the detector gets to the reflector the stronger the returned-signal, ultimately allowing the rescuer to pinpoint the victim's location.