Recco Backpack Rescue Reflector

The RECCO Backpack Rescue Reflector has been specially designed for the application on carrying straps of backpacks and is primarily intended for use in the summer to be located by helicopter in the event of a missing person situation.

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How does the Recco Reflector work?

Professional rescuers can quickly pinpoint a buried reflector-equipped person’s precise location using harmonic radar.
This two-part system consists of a RECCO detector used by professional rescue groups, which have a range of over 200 metres, and RECCO reflectors that are attached to clothing, helmets, protection gear, and boots worn by skiers and riders and other outdoor enthusiasts.
When used in conjunction with a RECCO Detector, the reflector's diode mixer acts as a harmonic generator to produce multiples of the frequencies received from the detectors.
The returned signal is translated into an audio tone whose volume is proportional to the returned signal, and by means of volume control, a trained rescue operator can literally go straight to the buried reflector once a signal is detected.
It is a non-powered device meaning that it never needs to be switched on, will never lose signal strength and needs no batteries to function. It is maintenance free and has a virtually unlimited life.
In total more than 950 search & rescue organizations in the world.

Why is a RECCO reflector a complement to a Transceiver?

The Recco Rescue System is different from Avalanche Transceivers because its a small band-aid size sticky transponder which is not powered, the reflector can be applied to your boots or helmet, the Recco detector does not contain any antennas and cannot be picked up by an avalanche beacon, the Recco detector has a range of over 200 metres which professional mountain rescue teams can pick up in the case of an avalanche.

Due to it not being a transceiver device the reflector will not lose signal strength and battery to function.

RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector

The RECCO SAR helicopter Detector service was first introduced in 2015 and is now found in several countries, and offers year-round missing persons services.

The RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector is used by attaching the detector to a rope that is then dangled below the Recco rescue helicopter.

When the helicopter flies at a height of 100m, it is able to scan an area that is 100m wide.

When the speed of the helicopter is 100 km/h this translates to 1 km2 coverage within six minutes. This equals to 30 football fields per minute.

RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector services are used in the following countries :