Camelbak X RECCO: Wide Area Helicopter Searchable, Low Cost Reflectors for Search and Rescue
Camelbak and RECCO invited RTR to go on a live demonstration flight of RECCO’s new helicopter flown detectors during UTMB week.
When combined with the low cost RECCO reflectors now incorporated mostly into winter ski apparel but now also available on the Camelbak Apex Pro Run Vest or standalone attached to a pack, this new system can deliver rapid detection of lost or injured outdoor enthusiasts in all seasons.
A group of journalists from Europe, I was the only US based journalist, were taken on flights to detect reflectors on the flanks of the Mont Blanc’s Italian side.
We were briefed on the system and flight procedures.
Camelbak incorporates the RECCO reflector into their top of the line Apex Pro Running Vest (RTR Review).
It is also incorporated in a wide range winter apparel with the cost a few dollars per tag for the gear manufacturer.
And it is available as a tag attached to a pack with a cord and movable from gear to gear,
The Demonstration Flight
I had never flown in a helicopter before and the flight from the base of the Mont Blanc side was amazing. Just behind the clouds is the summit of the Mont Blanc seen from the Italian side near Courmayeur.
The demo was highly compelling as Julio, a senior Italian SAR pro, operated the detector while instructing the pilot as tones increased as we zeroed in on the target tags on the scree below..
He rapidly zeroed in on several separate tiny reflectors sitting on glacial scree below marked by red flags so as tones increased we could see exactly where they were..
We could hear all the conversation with the pilot and detector tones in our headsets as he directed the pilot. At 5 quick tones and we were above the target.
In the video below, we quickly find the targets. Unfortunately, the increasing tones and conversation we heard in the headset can’t be heard.
RECCO is,a long time (44 years) leader in searchable reflectors for avalanche rescue.
Many brands incorporate the reflectors into their ski apparel for a small fee per strip while ski patrols and rescue organizations worldwide receive the yellow hand held detector (shown below) at no or low cost.
Needless to say, time is of the essence in avalanche rescue and a hand held detector is not of much use beyond slopes where rescuers are rapidly available such as ski areas or where the location of the lost person location is known and response very rapid. The search operation often becomes a recovery.
RECCO recently launched its helicopter based detector with 40 search and rescue organizations now having the system the unit shown below
It has far greater and faster detection capabilities than the hand held and detects the same reflectors..
The Reflector the detector is seeking is attached to the Apex Pro Vest, in clothing or as a detachable unit and requires no battery, no user intervention and will last the life of what it is attached to.
The key advantage of this new helicopter based detector (also a radar but a far more powerful one than in the hand held)) is that it searches a vastly greater area at far greater speeds than can be achieved with the handheld unit in snow conditions but also of course now year round and in all kinds of terrain including dense forest.
Official Quick Facts about the helicopter and handheld Recco detector/ reflectors are HERE
How Fast and Wide?’
Flying at a speed up to 100 km/h the detector scans the area beneath the helicopter with a corridor up to 100 meters wide at an altitude of 100 meters. The SAR helicopter detector can cover 1 km² of forests, mountain terrain or shores within 6 minutes”. If the air is dry, and wind conditions are good, the search area can be 200 meters wide at 200 meters altitude. The Detector battery last up to 6 hours.
This technology is clearly a game changer in search and rescue but it depends on having the reflector widely available in yet more apparel and in all seasons outdoor gear and that more SAR organizations have the helicopter based detectors. The current network of helicopter based units is shown below,
A solid start but more are needed for the vastness of the US and Canada outdoors. I see huge potential for finding lost hikers and runners in deep forests as well as hunters and snowmobilers and people with dementia who may not have a cell phone with them, many are lost every year.
A friend in Utah and RoadTrailRun contributor is heavily involved in search and rescue in the Park City area and was involved in the use of the system to find a fellow runner we both knew who while skiing was lost in an avalanche but sadly did not make it.
The cost of SAR is huge and takes time that the lost person may not have to survive so being able to sweep wide areas rapidly and RECCO proved it in their demo with RTR Sam on board the chopper.
With the ubiquity of mobile phones, some with satellite emergency messaging, systems are emerging that fly a mini “cell tower” to pick up phone signals, so other alternatives exist but the simplicity, no batteries needed, low cost RECCO reflector is compelling.if enough helicopter and soon for RECCO drone based detectors can be deployed and especially I think for actual rescue in non winter conditions.
Camelbak is to be commended in picking up the small cost of the reflectors and including it in their Apex Pro Vest, an RTR favorite to begin with (RTR Review) and also soon a bike pack.We hope others will follow their lead.
Ther Apex Pro Vest is one of our all time favorite run vests and is made yet better with RECCO on board.
The RECCO's removable helmet/pack reflectors you can attach to your are.available at Amazon HERE ($36) in the US and from RECCO direct elsewhere HERE
Photos were provided by Camelbak x RECCO with some taken by RoadTrailRun.
The Camelbak Apex Pro is available at our partners
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