Spain’s First RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector is Operational, Expanding Global Search Network Capability

December 13, 2022

Pompièrs Emergéncies S.L.U, Val d’Aran is the first search and rescue organization operational in Spain to feature the innovative RECCO SAR helicopter detector.

Stockholm, Sweden – (Dec. 13, 2022) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – RECCO, manufacturer of rescue technology that makes backcountry travelers more searchable, announces the launch of its new RECCO Search & Rescue Helicopter Detector system in Spain this month. Handheld RECCO detectors are frequently utilized by many SAR teams in Spain for avalanche rescue, however, this will be the country’s first helicopter SAR team to be equipped with the RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector system.

”Until now we’ve had the handheld RECCO detector that allowed us to search on foot. With the addition of the RECCO SAR helicopter detector, which is placed under the helicopter, we’ve made an important step forward, allowing search missions to be carried out faster in a wider area. This tool can be used both during summer and winter, to look for missing people in the outdoors and buried avalanche victims,” says Juanmi Riu, responsible for the mountain rescue group in Val d’Aran.

The RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector can quickly search large areas, covering 1 km² within 6 minutes. Beyond shortening search times, the helicopter-based detector can reduce the time and the exposure to risk for rescue workers during search missions. Having this resource will also help expand searchability to four seasons, as the helicopter-based unit is extremely helpful in summer rescue scenarios.

“Adding Spain to the list of RECCO SAR equipped countries is a real milestone for us. The country is known for its wide range of outdoor activities year-round, such as hiking, biking, rock climbing and skiing. These are all activities where our goal is to help the rescue community in case of an accident, by making more people searchable,” says Fredrik Steinwall, CEO at RECCO.

Currently, there are 31 RECCO SAR Helicopter Detectors globally, with 11 in North America and 20 units deployed across Europe. In addition to Spain, the latest deployments include Colorado Highland Helicopters (USA), Helico Secours (Canada) and HeliAir (Sweden).

About RECCO

RECCO® advanced rescue technology makes outdoor enthusiasts searchable to rescuers in case of an avalanche accident or when lost in the outdoors. The technology builds on a two-part radar system. Rescuers carry RECCO® detectors that send out search signals which are echoed by RECCO® reflectors, carried by the user. RECCO® detectors are used worldwide at more than 900 ski resorts and mountain rescue organizations in 32 countries. RECCO® reflectors are integrated into select apparel, helmets, protection gear and boots manufactured by more than 150 leading outdoor brands. RECCO AB was founded in 1983 in Sweden and is owned by its founder Magnus Granhed and the publicly traded investment company Traction AB (listed on OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm). More info at recco.com.

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