The 365-Day Safety Net: How RECCO is Evolving Beyond the Backcountry
For the Canadian backcountry community, the name RECCO® has long been synonymous with the "last resort" in avalanche rescue. We know it as the little silver strip in our ski pants—a passive backup for when things go sideways in a slide. But a conversation with Ken Gallant, Team Canada’s RECCO Instructor, reveals a significant shift in how this technology is being used.
RECCO is no longer just a winter insurance policy; it has evolved into a year-round search and rescue (SAR) powerhouse designed to make outdoor enthusiasts "searchable" across all four seasons.
The Evolutionary Leap: The SAR Helicopter Detector
The biggest change in the RECCO ecosystem isn't the reflector you wear—it’s the detector used to find it. While the handheld "R9" units used by ski patrol are effective at short ranges in avalanche debris, the new RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector has completely redefined the search area. Looking like a large, red cylinder suspended from a helicopter’s belly, this sensor allows rescue teams to scan vast areas of complex terrain—forests, mountain faces, and deep drainage basins—at speeds of up to 100 km/h. It can cover 1 km² in roughly six minutes."Be Searchable" 365 Days a Year
With the expansion of helicopter detectors across Canada (including hubs in BC, Alberta, and Newfoundland), the goal is to be "searchable" every time you head out. RECCO has moved far beyond the ski jacket and is now integrated into mountain bike helmets, hiking boots, and climbing harnesses from brands like POC, Scarpa, and Black Diamond.
Update Your Trip Plan
One of the most critical pieces of advice for the modern adventurer is to include your RECCO equipment in your Trip Plan. Explicitly stating: "I am carrying RECCO reflectors on my boots/helmet/pack" allows SAR managers to request a RECCO-equipped helicopter immediately, potentially saving hours or days of searching.
What if your gear doesn't have RECCO?
You don't need to buy a brand-new wardrobe to become searchable. If your gear lacks a built-in reflector, you can purchase stand-alone reflectors to attach to your existing equipment at the RECCO Online Shop or support local SAR by purchasing through the BC Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA) Store.