When I was a kid, I used to notice a small, almost unnoticeable tag hidden inside my ski jacket. It wasn’t just in mine — it showed up in my parents’ gear, in gloves, even in helmets and boots. The only thing I recognized was the name stamped on it: RECCO®.
It took years before I understood what it actually was.
The RECCO system is a search-and-rescue technology designed to help professionals locate people buried in avalanches or lost in the outdoors. Today, it is integrated into millions of pieces of ski and outdoor equipment worldwide.
At its core, the system is simple. It consists of two parts: a detector used by rescuers and a reflector built into your gear. The detector emits a directional radar signal. When that signal hits a reflector, it bounces back, guiding rescuers toward the source. As they get closer, the signal strengthens, allowing them to pinpoint the location.
Unlike an avalanche transceiver, the reflector is completely passive — it requires no batteries, no activation, and no user input. If it’s in your gear, it’s always there.
The idea for RECCO traces back to a tragedy. In 1973, an avalanche in Åre, Sweden, highlighted the lack of effective tools to locate buried victims. At the time, rescuers relied almost entirely on probes and avalanche dogs. One of those involved in the rescue, Magnus Granhed, helped pioneer what would become the RECCO system — a technology that has since become a global standard in organized rescue.
The equipment itself has evolved significantly. Early detectors weighed around 16 kilograms and were cumbersome to use. Today, they are lightweight, portable devices of roughly one kilogram, used by ski patrols, mountain rescue teams, and even helicopters equipped with RECCO search systems. Reflectors, meanwhile, have become so small they are virtually unnoticeable when embedded in clothing or gear.
But despite its usefulness, RECCO is often misunderstood. It does not replace an avalanche transceiver.
RECCO is designed for organized rescue — meaning professional search teams responding after an accident. In contrast, avalanche transceivers (beacons) are used for companion rescue, which is the most critical factor in survival.
Related:
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Studies consistently show that avalanche burial survival rates drop dramatically after about 15 minutes due to asphyxiation. In other words, your partners — not rescuers — are usually your best chance of survival. A transceiver allows them to locate and dig you out immediately.
RECCO, by comparison, becomes vital when that initial rescue fails or in prolonged searches.
No piece of equipment can prevent an avalanche. But having the right tools — and knowing how to use them — can make the difference between life and death.
Related:
Avalanche safety equipment will not protect you from avalanches. Wherever you are skiing, having the right equipment and knowing how to use it can significantly increase your chances of survival should an avalanche occur.
When accessing avalanche terrain it is recommended that you carry and are confident using the following rescue equipment: Avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel, RECCO reflectors, airbags, helmet, and a first aid kit.
