Behind the scenes in the Swiss air ambulance

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The early days of air rescue were defined by volunteers with a pioneering spirit. This exercise took place at the beginning of the 1960s. Rega

Currently, nearly 350 specialists work for Rega. Rega

Rega also helps to deal with terrain that is inaccessible to other means of transport. Rega

A rescue doctor rappels down to help the victim. It's work with no room for error. Rega

A person who had an accident in the mountains is transported to an intermediate landing area. Rega

A Rega flying ambulance repatriates a patient from the Azores island Santa Maria. Rega

The three Challenger CL-604 jets fly about 800 missions per year. Rega

Six Eurocopter EC 145 helicopters are ready to respond in case of emergency. Rega

Two factors play a crucial role after an accident: help at the accident site and quick transport to the nearest hospital. Rega

Rega is also prepared for water rescue operations. Rega

The patient as always the centre of attention for Rega rescuers. Rega

Thanks to its dozen helicopters placed throughout Switzerland, Rega can respond across the whole country within 15 minutes. Rega

To provide medical care in the snow, teamwork and a certain talent for improvisation are needed. Rega

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Hundreds of thousands of accident victims have the Swiss air rescue service Rega to thank for their lives. This collection of photos shows Rega’s evolution since its infancy in 1952 and gives a rare behind-the-scenes look at Switzerland’s flying ambulance.

Accidents on the road, in businesses, on remote farms or in the mountains – whenever injured people need to be brought to the hospital straightaway, Rega aircraft arrive quickly through the air. Very quickly, in fact: the helicopter launches five minutes after a telephone arrives from private citizens or the local police. It can be at any accident site in Switzerland within 15 minutes. Rega organised some 14,500 rescue operations in 2014.

On board are a pilot, a doctor and an emergency rescue worker. Rega’s work also includes repatriating Swiss who are injured or fall seriously ill while abroad. And the service even helps Alpine farmers evacuate their cows from a snow-covered Alp and fly injured or deceased animals into the valley.

To make the service work, 350 people are employed at 13 locations with 18 helicopters and three ambulance jets. The jets alone cost CHF130 million ($149 million). The costs are borne by insurance companies as well as by 2.5 million members who each pay CHF30 per year for the service.

(Text: Renat Künzi, swissinfo.ch)