Rega (air rescue)

Agusta A109 K2 landed near Grindelwald

The Rega (Swiss Air-Rescue) is the air rescue service which provides emergency medical assistance in Switzerland, notably in mountains but also in cases of life-threatening emergencies elsewhere. They will also return a patron to Switzerland from a foreign country if they are in need of urgent medical care. Rega was established on the 27th of April 1952 by Dr. Rudolf Bucher, who thought that the Swiss rescue organisation needed a specialised air sub-section.

The name is an unusual trilingual abbreviation from "Schweizerische Rettungsflugwacht - Garde Aérienne Suisse de Sauvetage- Guardia Aerea Svizzera di salvataggio", all three meaning "Swiss aerial rescue guard", in German, French and Italian respectively.

The Rega is a non-profit foundation financed through donations and patronage. Rega maintains 10 own helicopter bases throughout Switzerland and cooperates with three additional partner bases. Its operations centre is located at the Zurich-Kloten airport where all rescue missions are co-ordinated. All of the Rega helicopters carry a medic as well as a paramedic/EMT. Rega also aids alpine farmers during the summer months; they will rescue livestock, as well as retrieving dead animals.

Fleet

Eurocopter EC 145 of the Rega air rescue service

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Cabin of a REGA Agusta A109SP Da Vinci Helicopter

REGA evacuation after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami

• Helicopters
  • 6 Eurocopter EC 145
  • 3 Agusta A109 K2
  • 10 Agusta A109 SP Grand "Da Vinci"
• Transports
  • 3 Canadair CL604 "Challenger"

Rega in Liechtenstein

REGA (Liechtensteiner Air-Rescue) is a government operated and funded emergency medical service. The service has one Bell UH-1H, located at Balzers International Heliport.

External links

• Rega (English homepage)