Rescue specialists – ready for action in the mountains
Nowhere else in the Alps are so many 4,000-meter peaks concentrated in one place as in Upper Valais around Zermatt. No surprise, then, that Air Zermatt is often called on to help out in emergencies in the mountains. In situations like these, it is the skills and experience of the specialists called into action at these high altitudes that determine the success of a mission.
Alongside the Air Zermatt crew of pilots, flight paramedics and emergency doctors, the rescue specialists are also on duty. They are the true all-rounders, putting all of their dedication, experience and bravery into saving lives.
Vital support in difficult terrain
Air Zermatt has been defining professional mountain rescue since 1968. Years of experience and endless motivation to keep on developing have prepared the mountain rescuers from Valais for the most difficult of missions. An avalanche, a crevasse rescue or recovery of casualties in rough terrain – the rescue specialists at the Zermatt rescue station are equipped to take on challenges of all kinds.
“Our specialists are experienced mountain guides and make targeted use of their extensive knowledge of the mountains,” explains Anjan Truffer, head of the Zermatt rescue station. “We insist on continuous training to prepare for a wide range of situations, especially in helicopter operations.”
Concentration, bravery and trust
Air Zermatt relies on the experience of its rescue specialists whenever someone is identified as being in distress outside the marked slopes or hiking trails. In cases like these, the Valais cantonal rescue organization (emergency number 144) alerts the rescue specialist on duty, who arrives in a helicopter in just a few minutes. If additional rescuers or equipment are needed, the helicopter transports them directly to the scene of the accident.
“Every mission is different and creates new challenges,” says Truffer. “But we know we can rely on each other – and that’s crucial when it’s a matter of life and death.” More often than not, a callout for the rescue specialists means a challenging mission is about to unfold. A situation with climbers needing evacuation from a steep north face, for example, demands technical ability, courage and complete trust among the team. It’s not uncommon for a rescue specialist to perform their work hanging meters below the helicopter from a longline. Operations like these call for maximum concentration from everyone involved.
Adaptability for every situation
In addition to classic helicopter rescue operations, the rescue specialists have mastered a variety of techniques that are essential in mountain rescue. They undergo routine training in the use of winches and longlines, which are needed in evacuation procedures from cable cars and chairlifts, for example. Rescue specialists are not only trained in first aid, but are also prepared to carry out rescue missions on land if the helicopter is unable to fly due to weather conditions. This adaptability means that rescue specialists are indispensable in all emergency situations.
Every mission takes its toll on the rescuers, especially in those cases when the help comes too late. Direct contact with fatal outcomes is naturally a heavy burden. “There are missions that demand a lot from us emotionally,” admits Truffer. “But we’re a team, we stick together and we talk things through. It all helps us to deal with the things we experience.”
A team that saves lives
Together with its 15 rescue specialists, Air Zermatt is ready for action around the clock. Two of Air Zermatt’s pilots are even also experienced rescue specialists.
Air Zermatt’s approach is based on the guiding principle of “Rapid and professional assistance for people in distress – with equipment and procedures at the cutting edge,” and has served the Valais mountain rescuers well ever since the company’s foundation.
Whether up at high altitudes, or down on the ground – the rescue specialists are an impressive example of how professionalism, team spirit and tireless dedication can save lives. For the people in Valais and in the mountains, this means that even in the most difficult situations, help is close at hand.
