DRF Luftrettung busy in 2021 despite pandemic

Rapid air rescue is needed more than ever during the Covid-19 pandemic. The mission figures for last year, published by DRF Luftrettung, are proof of this. In total, the service received 38,076 alerts, representing a four-per-cent increase in missions compared to the previous year (36,586 missions).

The DRF Luftrettung Group also performed more missions last year, with 41,302 in 2021 versus 39,971 in 2020. The red and white air rescuers also believe their job is to keep developing and enhancing air rescue. This work can be seen, among others, in the provision of two additional helicopters, the modernization of the H145 fleet with five-bladed rotors, and the start of professional helicopter pilot training at DRF Luftrettung academy.

“We have just finished another year of the coronavirus pandemic, a year in which we had to face constant new challenges as an organisation and as individuals,” said Dr Krystian Pracz, CEO of DRF Luftrettung, summing up the last twelve months.

Most frequently called to cardiovascular problems

The DRF Luftrettung helicopters received a total of 37,834 alerts for emergency rescue missions and intensive care transport. The crews on the two ambulance aircraft performed 242 repatriations. The Learjet pilots flew aircraft to 69 countries, covering a total distance of 828,570 kilometres. The reasons behind the alerts were largely comparable to previous years, with crews most frequently being called to patients with cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks or strokes or to accidents and falls. The three bases equipped with rescue hoists used them 118 times to provide rapid emergency care for patients in hard to reach locations and fly them out of there.

Despite the challenges of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, DRF Luftrettung is determined about its goal of driving the development of air rescue. Its purpose in this is to keep improving patient care.

“For example, we have been providing two additional helicopters to relevant authorities since 1 October for deployment in catastrophes across the country. Moreover, the start of professional helicopter pilot training at our academy and the recently commenced modernisation of our H145 fleet, which is being upgraded from four-bladed to five-bladed rotors, are two pioneering projects that we will be continuing in 2022,” said Pracz.