Rega (air rescue)

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 also boast that they will 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 bilingual abbreviation from "Schweizerische Rettungsflugwacht - Garde Aérienne Suisse de Sauvetage", both meaning "Swiss aerial rescue guard", in German and French 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 Doctor. Rega also aids alpine farmers during the summer months, they will rescue livestock, as well as retrieving dead animals.

Fleet

 * Helicopters
 * 5 Eurocopter EC 145
 * 8 Agusta A109 K2
 * Jets
 * 3 Canadair CL604 "Challenger"

Emergency Contact Information

 * Telephone (within Switzerland): 1414
 * Telephone (from abroad): +41 333 333 333
 * Telefax: +41 (0)44 654 35 90
 * E-mail: ops@rega.ch
 * Radio: Emergency channel 161.300 MHz
 * SITA: ZRHZRLX
 * AFTN: LSZHSAZX