Avalanche Survival After Rescue With the RECCO Rescue System: A Case Report

Abstract

We report a case of survival of a completely buried avalanche victim after being located with the radar-based RECCO Rescue System. In the winter of 2015, 2 off-piste skiers were completely buried in an avalanche near the secured ski area in Baqueira Beret, Spain. The first victim was located with the RECCO Rescue System in less than 35 minutes and was alive and conscious at extrication. This system emits radio waves and requires a specific reflector. It is a portable device that is used by more than 600 rescue organizations worldwide, especially in secured ski areas. The device should be brought to the avalanche site together with electronic avalanche transceivers, a probing team, and avalanche dogs. In the hands of experienced professionals, the device may allow rapid location of victims not carrying an electronic avalanche transceiver. Although it is not the first successful extrication of a victim with the RECCO Rescue System, it is the first case published in the medical literature and is intended to encourage data collection and to increase our understanding of the effectiveness of this device in avalanche rescue.

On-Site Medical Management of Avalanche Victims—A Narrative Review

“…For avalanche rescue, if conditions allow, helicopters should be given priority over ground rescue teams, as they are faster, safer, and more efficient. Helicopters can also be used to search from the air with avalanche transceivers and RECCO ® (see below) [ 34 ]. However, air rescue operations may be restricted by adverse weather conditions with low visibility and wind.…”

“…The initial dog search should be with the handler before the terrain is contaminated by helicopter fumes. The search continues with avalanche transceivers and the RECCO ® system, if available [ 34 ]. The RECCO ® technology system is a two-part system, featuring an active detector, carried by the rescuer, and a passive reflector diode, embedded into the victim’s clothing.…”

“…The RECCO ® technology system is a two-part system, featuring an active detector, carried by the rescuer, and a passive reflector diode, embedded into the victim’s clothing. It is used by more than 600 rescue organizations worldwide, especially in ski areas [ 34 ]. If attempts with avalanche transceivers and RECCO ® fail, rescuers should begin a probe-line search.…”

Wilderness Medical Society Practice Guidelines for Prevention and Management of Avalanche and Nonavalanche Snow Burial Accidents

“…Other disadvantages of the RECCO system include a short detection range due to attenuation of the signal, especially in dense, wet snow and the potential for false positive signals from searchers or other reflective matter. 78,79 Recommendation. Professional rescue teams should have RECCO search capabilities and an established search protocol.…”

Snow avalanche deaths in Switzerland from 1995 to 2014—Results of a nation-wide linkage study

“…A large proportion of deaths occur in the cantons of Valais and Grisons, which are known for ski touring and can have an unfavourable snowpack structure that might lead to more accidental avalanches [3]. In recent decades, substantial efforts have been devoted to preventing avalanche deaths, by increasing avalanche awareness and by use of specialised rescue equipment, including avalanche transceivers and airbag-systems [4–7].…”