DRF Luftrettung marks Air Rescue Day 2025

Today, for Air Rescue Day (19 March), DRF Luftrettung is highlighting the strategic integration of air rescue within the broader emergency rescue system. Complex, life-threatening emergencies demand both advanced medical equipment and an experienced team to deliver optimal care at the scene and during transport. Air transport plays a crucial role, particularly in rural areas with long distances, providing a significant time advantage and easing the pressure on local ground resources. Established in 2020, Air Rescue Day serves to emphasize the vital importance of air rescue in the overall rescue chain.

Optimization potential in the choice of rescue equipment

In 2024, approximately 81% of all polytrauma patients (severely injured patients with life-threatening injuries) for whom DRF Luftrettung was alerted were transported by helicopter to a specialized trauma center. Data from the trauma registry of the German Society for Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery show that there is still potential for optimization here, as in 2023 only 18% of all seriously injured patients in the baseline cohort of participating hospitals in the trauma registry were transported by helicopter. In contrast, around 30% of these patients were taken to lower-level hospitals, from which they subsequently had to be transferred within the first 48 hours. The data clearly demonstrates that when dispatching rescue vehicles, control centers should pay greater attention to the appropriate destination hospital: not only must the rapid arrival of an emergency vehicle be considered, but also which emergency vehicle can reach the destination hospital most quickly. Only through this connection can valuable time be gained for the most seriously injured or ill patients.

Professional care for severely injured persons: expertise of DRF Luftrettung

According to DRF Luftrettung, 32% of its missions involve trauma cases, with highly trained medical crews, including emergency physicians and paramedics with over 10 years of experience. Crews undergo regular trauma management training, focusing on team communication and invasive emergency techniques. Their helicopters are equipped with state-of-the-art medical devices like mobile ultrasound, blood gas analysis, and tools for controlling hypothermia and bleeding. Additionally, five stations now use blood and plasma products, having performed over 120 pre-hospital transfusions, saving lives in critical situations.

Children’s emergencies: experts for the little ones

DRF Luftrettung crews are experts in pediatric emergencies, with all emergency physicians meeting professional pediatric anesthetic requirements. Pediatric cases make up around 10% of their operations, higher than any other rescue service, ensuring crews have extensive experience. The helicopters are equipped with specialized pediatric equipment, developed with children’s hospitals in Germany, and supported by digital tools like the DIVI Kindernotfall (Children’s Emergency) app for quick medication verification. Additionally, pre-installed apps help calm children during transport.

Earlier this year DRF Luftrettung’s Christoph 43 aircraft returned to Karlsruhe.