Recco Reflector

A Recco reflector is a small, band-aid sized, electronic transponder that weighs less than four grams. It is mounted to clothing and gear that is unlikely to be torn off in the event of an avalanche.

RECCO Reflector technology makes you searchable to professional rescuers in the event of an avalanche accident. This RECCO reflector is a small, battery-free transponder which responds to signals from a RECCO detector to assist detection of the wearer in the case of an avalanche.

Snowsafe have sold over 3000 Recco Reflectors

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 850 search & rescue organizations in the world

Why is the Recco reflector different to a normal avalanche 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.