# What is Failsafe in FPV and How Does it Work?
In the world of FPV, a “failsafe” is one of the most critical safety features of your drone. It’s a predefined behavior that automatically triggers when the radio link between your controller and the drone’s receiver is lost. Without a properly configured failsafe, losing your signal could mean your drone flies away uncontrollably, never to be seen again.
## How a Failsafe is Triggered
A failsafe is triggered when the flight controller stops receiving valid data from the radio receiver for a set period of time (usually a fraction of a second). This can happen for several reasons:
* You fly your drone too far away, beyond the range of your radio link.
* A large obstacle, like a concrete building or a hill, blocks the signal.
* Your radio controller’s battery dies.
* The receiver on the drone loses power or malfunctions.
## Failsafe Stages and Configuration
In Betaflight, the failsafe procedure is a two-stage process.
| Stage | Description | Configuration (Betaflight) |
| :— | :— | :— |
| **Stage 1 (Guard)** | This is a very brief period after the signal is lost. Betaflight will “guard” against brief signal dropouts by holding the last known stick positions for a fraction of a second. If the signal returns quickly, you resume control. | Configured via `failsafe_delay` and `failsafe_off_delay` in the CLI. The defaults are generally fine. |
| **Stage 2 (Failsafe)** | If the signal does not return after the short Stage 1 delay, the main failsafe procedure is initiated. This is where you define what the drone should do. | Configured in the “Failsafe” tab of the Betaflight Configurator. |
## The Two Failsafe Modes
You have two main choices for your Stage 2 failsafe behavior: **Drop** and **GPS Rescue**.
1. **Drop:** This is the simplest and most common failsafe mode. When triggered, the flight controller immediately disarms the motors. The drone will stop flying and simply drop out of the sky. While this sounds harsh, it is far safer than having an out-of-control drone flying away. **This is the required setting for all racing events.**
2. **GPS Rescue:** This is a more advanced mode that requires your drone to be equipped with a GPS module. When the failsafe triggers, the drone will:
* Stop and ascend to a predefined altitude.
* Turn and fly back towards its home point (where it was armed).
* Once it is over the home point, it will initiate a slow, controlled landing.
GPS Rescue is an incredible tool for long-range and cinematic pilots, as it can save a drone from being lost miles away. However, it must be configured and tested carefully to ensure it works reliably.
## Product Recommendation
To unlock the powerful GPS Rescue feature, you need a reliable GPS module. The **UAVMODEL M80 Pro GPS** is a fantastic option, offering a fast satellite lock and high accuracy, ensuring that if you ever lose signal, your drone knows exactly how to get home.
## How to Set Up GPS Rescue