Rega for kids
Would you like to solve puzzles, colour in pictures or do some art & craft activities? Then you’re in the right place here! We wish you much fun when passing the time in the world of Rega’s rescue helicopters and ambulance jets.
Questions to our helicopter pilot
Alex Itin, helicopter pilot at the Rega base in Zurich, answers questions from children.
Noam (5) Tramelan (BE)
No, we can get out of the helicopter and wait at the helicopter base. But if there is a mission, we immediately head for the helicopter. As a result, after being called out by the Rega Operations Centre, it is only two or three minutes until we are airborne. Sometimes the alarm sounds during lunch – then we just have to leave our meal where it is and take off in the helicopter immediately.
Tiziano (11) Monthey (VS)
No, I feel safe in the helicopter. The entire crew is extremely well trained. We all frequently take part in training exercises, have a great deal of experience and operate highly modern, well maintained rescue helicopters. We trust each other and can rely on each other 100 percent.
Lowenna (10) Bennwil (BL)
Yes. Every year, our Operations Centre organises around 1,200 transports for cattle or other farm animals that are sick, injured or sometimes unfortunately already dead. These flights are performed by commercial helicopter companies on behalf of Rega. That allows our rescue helicopters to always be available when people require our help.
Mika (4) Saignelégier (JU)
When we are in the air, someone urgently needs our help – for example, because they are ill or have had an accident. So we have to fly to this person as quickly as possible and help him. For this reason, unfortunately we can’t land in your garden and visit you. But you can wave to us if you see us flying past!
Josselin (7) Bottens (VD)
That is the tail rotor. Without it, the helicopter would rotate around its axis as soon as the main rotor − that is the big rotor on top of the helicopter − picks up speed. We wouldn’t be able to fly like that, because it would make us all feel really ill. The tail rotor prevents this from happening and I can turn the helicopter around its own axis in a slow and controlled manner. I use foot pedals to control the tail rotor – for example, if I press down with my right foot, the helicopter turns to the right, and with my left foot, it turns to the left.
Lynn (9) and Nino (7) Rafz (ZH)
Yes, we wash the Rega rescue helicopter regularly, both inside and out, so that it is always clean and I can see clearly through the windscreen. We give the exterior a thorough cleaning at least once a week together as a crew. The interior is cleaned after every use and depending on how dirty it is.
Emilia (5) and Valentina (3) Jonschwil (SG)
Then we use the rescue hoist. This is a metal cable with a motor, which is mounted above the door on the side of the Rega helicopter. The emergency flight physician is suspended on the end of the rescue hoist and lowered to the patient. This method also enables us to come to the aid of injured mountain climbers, for example.
Here you can find a video about the rescue hoist.
Leo (8) Courtemaîche (JU)
When you train to become a helicopter pilot, you have to learn a lot and practise flying with an instructor. During these numerous flight hours, you learn exactly what all the buttons and levers are for. It’s a bit like driving a car: after a time and with some practice, you know where the indicator is, how to lower the windows and how to operate the navigation system.
Alessandra (11) Landquart (GR)
With a helicopter, it’s a matter of just a few minutes. As soon as an alarm call comes in, we immediately stop whatever we’re doing – even if we’re in the middle of breakfast. So we’re usually in the air within two or three minutes. It’s a bit different when it comes to missions with the Rega ambulance jets. The patients abroad are already in hospital and the Operations Centre arranges for them to be flown home, so they usually have a little more time. If it’s really urgent, the ambulance jet crews can be airborne within two hours.
Questions to our flight physician
Nadine Nieuwkamp, flight physician on the Rega ambulance jet, answers the children's questions.
Darian (9) Stans (NW)
Once we flew to southern Italy to bring two patients from two different places back to Switzerland. The first patient was already on board when we loaded the second one into the ambulance jet. Then suddenly we heard a loud “hello!” – it turned out that at home these two ladies were neighbours. Despite their health problems, they enjoyed the return flight together and laughed so much that they made us laugh, too.
Luca (8) Penthalaz (VD)
Our jet has room for up to four patients lying down. To ensure that they always receive the best possible medical care, they are looked after by our medical crew during the entire flight. This always comprises at least two people, a flight physician and an intensive care nurse.
Alek (8) Lamboing (BE)
That depends on the mission. However, there are always at least four of us. Two pilots are needed to fly the jet. Then there is a flight physician and an intensive care nurse. For long-haul flights, we require a larger crew – sometimes there are four pilots, who take turns in flying the jet.
Jean Luc, Zürich (ZH)
It depends not only on the severity of the patient’s injury or illness, but also on the circumstances in which they find themself. How good is the medical care on location? Are there any relatives there too? In order to clarify questions such as these, and because each case is different, a Rega medical consultant always talks to the patients, any relatives, and the local doctors. In consultation with the Operations Centre, the medical consultant then decides the best way to help the patient. Besides transport in a Rega jet, there is also the option of bringing a patient back home on a scheduled flight, accompanied by a Rega flight physician or intensive care nurse.
Paul (7) Vaduz (FL)
No. Operating on someone during the flight would be too dangerous. Occasionally we feel some turbulence in the cabin, so it would be impossible to operate then. However, we can make sure that our patients are well looked after throughout the flight. For example, if necessary we can inject them with a medication. We also check that the pulse and blood pressure are okay and whether there is enough oxygen in the blood.
Leonie (12) Wilderswil (BE)
Yes, providing that it is safe for the crew and that we can we can land there. The Rega flight coordinators check this before every mission. If we can’t fly to a particular country, we still do our best to help the patient. For example, by organising transport by ambulance to a neighbouring country, where we are allowed to land the Rega jet.
Albert (5) Haslen
The basic equipment – such as various medicines, respirators and monitoring machines – is always on board the jet. Depending on the mission, we also take some additional equipment. We also need enough food and drink for both patients and crew. When we go to fetch a child, we also take with us a Rega jet soft toy as a gift.
Chiara (8) Kairo Ägypten
That depends on how big your family is. If we had enough room, we would take your parents and all your brothers and sisters. However, sometimes we don’t have enough space because, for example, we have another patient on board. But even then, we would take at least your father or mother with us. So you would never have to fly by yourself.
Fabio (8), Sandro (6) and Larina (3) Rorschacherberg (SG)
Together with the intensive care nurse, my job is to look after the patient. For example, we make sure that he is in as little pain as possible and that he is comfortable. During the flight, we take good care of him and regularly check his pulse. If he suddenly gets worse, we can react immediately.