Ski & Snowboard Safety Tip: Avalanche Rescue

"Avalanches occur on steep slopes that are made for great skiing and snowboarding."

For those of you skiers and snowboarders who brave those magnificent steep slopes with prowess, you're probably already aware of the situation in which you put yourself: the dangerous potential of an avalanche.

Getting buried in an avalanche is no small price to pay for skiing and riding the great slopes. But a little something called RECCO can help put your mind at ease when it comes to avalanches.

RECCO is an avalanche rescue system. It increases your chances of being found both quickly and alive in the event of a slide.

How RECCO Works

RECCO reflectors are affixed to apparel, protection gear, or boots. The reflectors are most effective when worn in your helmet or in pairs, like in your jacket and pants or in both boots. For instance, if you've got RECCO reflectors in your boots and a big bad avalanche drowns you, a rescue team will be able to pinpoint a direct path to the burial as the reflectors bounce back a signal to the searchers.

The reflectors do not guarantee location or survival in the event of a burial, however, nor can they replace a transceiver. They act as a worthy complement to a transceiver and help organized rescue find skiers and snowboarders more quickly.

As advised on RECCO's site:

Why It's a Keeper

RECCO is a non-powered device. This means that it never needs to be turned on or off, it never loses signal strength, and it doesn't need batteries. It's maintenance-free and hassle-free with an endless lifespan. You don't even have to think about it!

Who's on the RECCO Bandwagon

Many international brands, like Arc'teryx, The North Face and Quiksilver, already have incorporated RECCO reflectors into their products.

Big White, Sun Peaks, and Whistler are already equipped with the RECCO system. Over 440 other resorts, helicopter bases, national parks, and search-and-rescue organizations worldwide have RECCO. Check out recco.com for a current listing.

Questions?

If your mind's now raring with specific questions regarding RECCO reflectors, visit the RECCO site's FAQ page to quench your curiosity. The site itself is an invaluable source for avalanche education and facts.

Live well & be safe.