A nighttime call from the mountains: rescue missions with Air Zermatt
The sun has long since disappeared behind the mountains. The last lights flicker in the villages down in the valley – but further up, it’s pitch black. In the midst of this peaceful night, the rescue crew’s phone suddenly rings in the hangar. An emergency call. And just a few minutes later, the Air Zermatt crew heads off into the night.
Rescues by night
A nighttime rescue mission is very different from one carried out during the day. Everything is quieter. Every movement is precise, procedures have been practiced to perfection – but there’s always a certain sense of tension. Because at night, the limits imposed on the helicopter crew are very different.
Flying at nighttime
The pilot wears night vision goggles – special glasses that enhance the available light. On the display, the world looks like a black and white image. The usual points of reference are nowhere to be seen, and the terrain only becomes visible once the searchlight below the helicopter is switched on. Snowfields, sheer cliffs and other dangers of all kinds.
The helicopter slowly approaches the scene. The rescue specialist is dropped off by winch. The pilot keeps the helicopter stable in the air, while the flight paramedic and the rescue specialist closely coordinate their actions. Step by step, the rescuer is lowered to the patient using the steel cable. This is the kind of teamwork that calls for the highest possible level of concentration. One wrong command, one moment of uncertainty could put everyone at risk, especially at night.
"Every tour in the mountains is an adventure in itself, and the better people are prepared, the safer they will be."
Testing technology in extreme conditions
It’s not just the darkness that makes missions like these so challenging, however. In freezing temperatures, the helicopter can lift the weight with ease. However, as the temperature rises, its lifting capacity decreases significantly. At high altitudes, the helicopter also loses power. Depending on the location, this can make a crucial difference.
And then there’s the weather. Foggy or cloudy nights present a particular challenge. Just a few seconds in the clouds are enough to play havoc with the pilot’s sense of balance. This is why every crew member always has a plan B to fall back on – a safe way out in case the situation gets out of hand.
More missions than usual
This year, the Air Zermatt crews have been especially busy with complex rescues like this one. Sometimes multiple times within just a few days on the same mountain. Long days, short nights, challenging missions and moments that call for the utmost precision.
An appeal between the lines
The Air Zermatt crews and rescue specialists draw a clear conclusion from the scenarios they witness: every tour in the mountains is an adventure in itself, and the better people are prepared, the safer they will be. Heading off early, keeping an eye on the weather and realistically assessing their abilities all help the climbers to give the Air Zermatt crews a quiet night.
But the helicopters are of course on standby at all times, ready to take off if needed. Ready to fly over the rocks and ridges, even in the pitch-black night. Ready for rescue missions of all kinds, including those that push them to the limits and beyond.
Secure yourself today -> All information about the Air Zermatt rescue card.
