Video profiles Rega paramedic’s work
VIDEO: Swiss air rescue provider Rega has published a video profiling Ruedi Güttinger, a flight paramedic at Rega’s base in St Gallen. In the film, Güttinger is described as the ‘all-rounder’ in the three-strong helicopter rescue crew.
VIDEO: Swiss air rescue provider Rega has published a video profiling Ruedi Güttinger, a flight paramedic at Rega’s base in St Gallen. In the film, Güttinger is described as the ‘all-rounder’ in the three-strong helicopter rescue crew, checking the condition of the helicopter on the ground – both in the hangar and as it prepares for take-off, supporting the pilot during flights by taking charge of radio communications and navigation, and helping the emergency doctor to recover and attend to casualties.
Güttinger comments: “In this team of three, I play a very interesting part; in fact, it’s a pivotal element.”
The footage shows the St Gallen team undertake a wintertime mission as they respond to a possible stroke victim, making a landing in snow in a town centre alongside a ground ambulance. Once on the scene, Güttinger must take care of safety aspects such as making sure no one comes too close to the helicopter’s main and tail rotors.
Explaining his medical role within the team, he explains: “Paramedics have a great deal of experience in rescue operations. We provide ideas for [the doctors], and a decision is then reached by the team.”
Güttinger concludes: “Every mission is different, even though you have the feeling that you’re going onto the tarmac for the 10th time. Every mission has it’s own character, and we repeatedly face new challenges.”