The RECCO® Rescue System is a two-part system. Manufacturers attach a small Band-Aid-sized reflector (sometimes called a "chip") into clothing, boots, helmets, Ortovox avalanche transceivers, etc. The reflector is a passive device and does not require batteries or any user attention. A special detector, which is used by professional rescuers, transmits a signal that is reflected back to the detector. The system is analogous to submarine sonar—the detector sends a signal that bounces off the chip and is received by the detector. The RECCO detector has a range of up to 120 meters through the air, 20 meters through dry snow, 10 meters in wet snow, and 8 inches in water.
These special detectors are used by more than 700 ski areas and search and rescue teams. The RECCO detector is a worthy addition to the professional's search arsenal, but the system is not intended to replace avalanche transceivers. Even more so than avalanche transceivers, becoming proficient with a RECCO detector requires practice.
The RECCO system can sometimes detect other electronic devices, such as a cell phone or two-way radio, at very short distances. I have occasionally picked up a signal from electronic devices when training with a RECCO detector, but I have not been able to locate a victim's electronics during an actual search. And in hindsight, I should have tried with much shorter search strip widths (e.g., two meters).
RECCO detectors also receive the 457 kHz signal from avalanche transceivers, but they are basically old-school analog beacons and do not display direction or distance indicators. That's still very helpful for a professional rescuer, because a rescuer can search for an avalanche transceiver and RECCO reflector simultaneously. If a 457 kHz signal is received, the rescuer can use a modern avalanche transceiver to perform the search.
Rescuers who might be involved in a RECCO search, for example, ski patrollers and search and rescue members, will probably want to remove RECCO reflectors from their clothing so the reflectors don't confuse fellow rescuers who are searching with a RECCO detector.
Learn more about the RECCO avalanche location system.
