For Chlorophylle, adventure goes hand in hand with safety. In Canada, 70% of the population is involved in outdoor activities and 44% in mountain hiking. That's why, for several years now, we've believed it's essential to integrate RECCO® technology into some of our hiking and skiing products. As a Quebec-based outdoor brand, we believe we have a responsibility to our community. The outdoors isn't always synonymous with great expeditions, but venturing into the forest is enough for the unexpected to happen.
A matter of time!
Since June 2022, the Helico Secours solidarity cooperative has been entrusted with the exclusive operation of RECCO helicopter technology for rescue operations in Quebec. This new collaboration provides greater coverage for Quebec and Eastern Canada. Their General Manager, Alain Vallières, explains that, during rescue operations, locating individuals is often the greatest difficulty, and yet, in these moments, every minute counts. The ability to find the missing person quickly during an emergency operation can, in most cases, be decisive.
Go wider, go faster
"When used in the field, RECCO tracking technology saves us precious time. The signals emitted by the helicopter-borne detector are perceptible by the reflectors over very large areas. This makes a major contribution to the success of the operation, for the benefit of the person being sought. That's why this partnership with these key Quebec players in the field of outdoor clothing sales and design is so beneficial," explains Mr. Vallières.
Chlorophylle donates $1 from each product sold containing the Recco system to Helico Secours to support its search activities.
What is the RECCO® system?
The RECCO® reflector integrated into your clothing or equipment makes you locatable by rescue workers from the air. RECCO reflectors are passive transponders requiring no batteries or start-up to operate, offering unlimited life.
How it works:
1. The RECCO detector emits a directional radar signal, similar to a flashlight beam.
2. When the radar signal encounters the RECCO reflector, it is sent back to the detector, indicating the victim's direction to rescue workers.
3. The closer the detector is to the reflector, the stronger the signal returned, enabling rescuers to locate the victim.
Signals That Can Save Lives
The partnership between Recco and Chlorophylle dates back several years. But since the pandemic and its confinements, people have been vigorously reclaiming the forests of our beautiful territory. "We're always venturing further afield, but not necessarily with more knowledge," explained Thierry Gaudron, vice-president of Sauvetage 02 and responsible for operations and training.
A long-awaited technology
He was the lead instructor who trained a team of 10 volunteers to take part in aerial searches aboard a Helico Secours aircraft, the first cooperative in North America to specialize in air and helicopter medical transport. "With this system, we can cover 1 km2 in 6 minutes. If we did this search with a ground team, we would need 14 men and 7 hours of work. Time is the most important factor when you get lost in the forest. In terms of efficiency, it's a considerable gain. We've been waiting a long time for technology like this, which has the power to save lives," says Mr. Gaudron.
"Through our partnership with Helico Secours, we aim to make the outdoors accessible to everyone, in complete safety. The addition of the Recco® reflector to many of our products was fundamental to us in offering affordable products that will enable outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy their activities with complete peace of mind." Claudie Laroche, Marketing Director for Chlorophylle
About Chlorophylle
Chlorophylle is a Quebec-based company that develops and markets high-end products specialized for outdoor activities. Chlorophylle's products are renowned for their uncompromising durability, performance and versatility. Founded in the fall of 1980 in Chicoutimi, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, the company has seen its creations travel the world. Owned by the Côté-Reco family business since May 2019, Chlorophylle has been on a roll ever since. Over the past two years, 3 new corporate boutiques have opened - two of them in the metropolis! -. We also have 3 franchise boutiques and a growing network of retailers.
For further information, please contact
Manon Rivard (for an interview with Claudie Laroche)
Communications Director and Marketing Assistant
(819) 292-2323 ext. 50962 or manon.rivard@coterco.com
Louis-Philippe Dubois (for an interview with Alain Vallières)
(514) 916-2489 or lpdubois@helicosecours.ca
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