Many ski and snow sport jackets today are equipped with RECCO technology, which is sewn into the fabric somewhere. RECCO reflectors don’t require any action from the user (ie – they are a “passive” device), and they can be located by ski patrol and rescue groups that carry the specific equipment necessary to detect RECCO. This technology sends a signal that the RECCO patch “reflects” back.  However, RECCO reflectors ARE NOT avalanche beacons. Because they require specific technology that usually only resorts or search and rescue teams carry, it is not feasible to have distant search and rescue teams respond to backcountry avalanche events, as the timeline needed for rescue is so tight.