RECCO Supports the ACC
The ACC is proud to announce that for 2024, we have begun a strategic partnership with RECCO.
ACC members may already be familiar with RECCO, the advanced rescue technology company that manufactures searchable reflectors that are integrated into outdoor products to aid in an avalanche or missing person search.
It’s not exciting to think in terms of searchability or getting lost or hurt when we’re hiking or climbing or skiing, but the reality is that these things can happen and proper preparation can save lives.
Stay Searchable
The RECCO system for backcountry travelers is simple and is based on having a reflector attached to the traveler (or their gear) when they’re in the backcountry. The reflectors, as the name suggests, reflect a signal back to professional searchers (SAR teams, ski patrol, mountain rescue teams) to locate the lost or injured traveler after they’ve been reported missing.
The reflectors are passive, meaning they have no batteries, and are integrated into many brands of clothes, packs, harnesses, helmets, footwear, and other gear – check your closet, you may already be searchable. For those who want to be searchable without replacing their favourite gear, there are attachable backpack or helmet reflectors and belts that perform the same purpose. The rescuers can perform a search, either with the handheld detector or the SAR helicopter detector.
The passive nature of the reflector also means that there’s no danger of it interfering with other devices, and the simplicity of the system means that a traveler needs to only do two things: wear a RECCO reflector, and inform others that they are “RECCO searchable” when they head out.
(Note that in avalanche terrain, RECCO reflectors provide an additional level of searchability and do not replace personal avalanche transceivers which are always required in areas with avalanche hazard.)
RECCO Partnership and the ACC
So, what does the partnership mean for our club and our members?
The ACC operates the largest network of backcountry huts in North America from our national office in Canmore, AB. The huts are user-maintained and are not staffed, but they are visited often by volunteer hut ambassadors who often journey out to a hut and back in the same day. Beginning in summer 2024, our volunteer hut ambassadors will all be searchable with RECCO reflectors.
The ACC will be hosting an open house at our national office and Clubhouse hostel in Canmore later this spring. RECCO will be in attendance to demonstrate the search functionality and the importance of remaining searchable in the backcountry. Watch for more info about the open house in the coming weeks and please feel free to join us and RECCO if you’re in the area.
The ACC and RECCO are keen to take the demonstration and searchability information sessions to our local sections across Canada. The national office will be reaching out to sections across the country in the coming weeks and months, and members are encouraged to contact the club if they are interested in hosting a RECCO session.
If you do not have integrated reflectors in your existing gear, adding a reflector is very simple. The ACC store will be carrying attachable reflectors and belts with integrated reflectors with discounts for ACC members this spring. Watch our store and our regular communication channels for updates.
STAY SEARCHABLE
1. Wear RECCO reflectors when traveling in the backcountry
2. Inform your network that you’re searchable when you head out
Mountain Safety and the ACC
Promoting safe recreation in alpine and backcountry areas has been a core value of the ACC since the club was founded in 1906. The club has a standing Mountain Safety Committee that evaluates current practices and equipment and disseminates safety information to ACC members. Our partnership with RECCO supports the club’s Mountain Safety Committee and their important work.
We are very happy to partner with RECCO to increase the safety and searchability of ACC members and Canadians when recreating in the backcountry.
