German air rescue service DRF Luftrettung was called out 20,330 times in the first half of 2018 compared to 19,558 occasions over the same period last year. Operating a fleet of helicopters from 31 HEMS bases in Germany and Austria, the company organises rapid emergency response as well as repatriation using two air ambulance Learjet 35s, which were alerted for 147 missions and dispatched to 42 countries in the first half of this year.

DRF helicopters are frequently called to traffic accidents and acute cases requiring urgent medical attention, such as heart attacks and strokes. Time is of the essence: "We set ourselves the highest standards in all areas, not only with regard to aviation technology but also in terms of medical equipment and especially the qualification of our crews," says chairman Peter Huber. In recent weeks DRF Luftrettung has begun equipping its rescue helicopters with mechanical resuscitation devices in order to maintain the circulation of a patient's blood with cardiac pressure massage until the helicopter arrives at the clinic.

The pilots of DRF Luftrettung have extensive night and instrument flying experience. In addition, the organisation was the first HEMS operator in Germany to use night vision goggles.

The Austrian HEMS bases of ARA Flugrettung, a subsidiary of DRF Luftrettung, have helicopters stationed in Tyrol and Carinthia that are equipped with a winch to provide rapid assistance for emergencies in high altitude areas of the Alps.

DRF has its own operation centre in Karlsruhe, Germany, where 130 engineers ensure the year-round airworthiness of the helicopter and air ambulance jet fleets.