By Justin Broglio

Transceivers, probes and shovels aren’t going to be replaced anytime soon, but no complementary avalanche equipment has proven quite as successful as the RECCO rescue system. RECCO’s "one more chance" philosophy has landed its electronic transponders in the equipment of the avy savvy and at more than 440 organizations worldwide.

"The whole RECCO system has a lot of merit," says Chugach Powder Guides owner Mike Overcast. "My experience with this system has been great, it is easy to use, it doesn’t need any batteries and the reflectors are cheap."

Developed in Sweden by Magnus Granhed, the RECCO system consists of passive reflectors that are worn by skiers, and organized rescue groups manage the detectors. The reflectors, which are small discs made up of a diode and a thin copper antenna, are integrated into clothing and ski boots during manufacturing, or bought separately and added to equipment.

Andreas Thöni, a guide with Mike Wiegele's Heli Skiing, practices search rescue technique with RECCO detector.
Photo by Dan Kostrzewski

"Our Decent line jackets have the reflectors sewn into the arms," says Alix Wilson, the Marketing Coordinator for Arc’teryx outdoor gear. "For us the addition manufacturing cost is worth it, because it’s a service to our customers."

Several other major brands have joined in the effort to produce outdoor gear that incorporates built-in RECCO reflectors. The North Face, Vans, Atomic, Sessions, Millet, and Quiksilver all have taken steps to integrate the RECCO technology into their gear.

"It fits right into line with who we are," says Paul Arnston, the Snowsports Director for The North Face. "The technology has been around for a long time and now that the locator device is becoming smaller and smaller the technology is being adapted globally."

According to Arnston the RECCO reflectors can be mounted externally or sewn directly into the clothing.

RECCO founder Magnus Granhed searching witht he system he invented at the Mountain Training Seminar in Blue River, B.C.
Photo by Dan Kostrzewski

"A series of our fall 2006 jackets and pants will be using the interior application," says Arnston. "It cost more for us because the reflector itself is enclosed in a rubber jacket and the entire assembly is stitched into the jacket or pant. But, we support the safety effort that everyone is making and I think this is an important step in the evolution of this industry."

The RECCO system operates on the frequency doubling principle. The detector transmits a directional radar signal. When hitting a reflector, the frequency of the signal is doubled and returned to the detector. When the detector receives the new signal, the search person receives a tone in their earphones, facilitating an exact localization of the avalanche victim.

"Our helicopter has a RECCO transceiver," says Overcast. "Which allows the pilot and the guide to cover a larger area than a normal avalanche beacon could by listening the strength of the signal then zeroing in on the location."

For optimum effect, RECCO recommends wearing two reflectors, one on each side of the body. Attach a reflector to each boot or both sides of a helmet. The jacket/pant combination works too.

"This year we are providing all of our guests with RECCO reflectors," says Overcast. "We also tape the reflectors to all our explosives, just in case we have one that doesn’t detonate, we can go back to the area in the summer and easily find it."

Born from six generations of research, RECCO’s first model was constructed in 1980 and weighed 16 kg. Swiss rescue teams tested the equipment throughout the 80’s, but RECCO’s first commercial breakthrough came about in 1987 when an avalanche killed 16 soldiers in Norway, prompting NATO to use the technology on a large scale.

In 1996 Alta/Snowbird became the first North American ski resort to fully embrace the RECCO system, and now there are more than 50 major U.S. ski resorts integrating the technology into their operations.

In 2005 RECCO launched a full-scale expansion into Japan and over the season nine Japanese resorts, including Niseko and Hakuba, will become equipped with the RECCO detector technology.

RECCO reflectors should never be used to replace traditional avalanche equipment, but with their lightweight, battery-free design, relative permanence and lifelong durability, they offer the best second chance around.