SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Regional Air Support Unit (SRASU) are now equipped with new technology to help quickly locate people who are lost in remote areas or victims of an avalanche.
Over the past couple months, SRASU has been training on deploying and using the RECCO detector.
They are wanting to inform all skiers, snowmobilers, ski resorts or anyone who ventures into backcountry areas about their new resource.
There is now a key tool to help SRASU crews locate individuals quickly if there is ever an emergency like avalanche or lost in backcountry.
This new technology makes any victims searchable by allowing Rescue 3 and other Search and Rescue crews to find and help victims fast.
When the RECCO detector is deployed, it will send a directional radar signal that is reflected back to the flight crew by a RECCO rescue reflector attached to the lost or injured persons clothing/gear.
This signal will lead the Rescue 3 team to your location!
The Search and Rescue helicopters equipped with this technology will be able to search large areas quickly. When crews fly at 100 meters (328 feet), they can cover a search area of approximately 100 meters wide.
This means that these detectors can search approximately 30 football fields per minute.
But, for this technology to work and for SAR crews to be able to find you, you must have a RECCO reflector. You can buy one on Amazon, which costs about $30.
If you purchase one, you are able to attach it to any gear like, backpacks, boots, helmets, jackets and pants from several outdoor clothing/gear supplies.
Spokane County’s SRASU is the eighth deployment of the RECCO helicopter detector in the U.S. SRASU will begin to fill in the gap between Snohomish County in Washington and Flathead County in Montana.
As always, if you are heading outside to a remote area or in backcountry be prepared and plan for the unexpected. Bring any necessary equipment and share your plan with a family member or a friend.
For more information about the RECCO detectors and equipment you can visit their website!
