“In summer, many missions are linked to mountaineering. Crews respond to falls, crevasse accidents, exhausted climbers, and emergencies on ridges, glaciers and extremely steep terrain. These operations often require precise hovering, hoist or long-line work, and close coordination with mountain rescue specialists, sometimes in locations where landing is simply not possible,” says Aufdenblatten. “On the other hand, winter brings a different set of challenges. Skiing accidents, collisions on the slopes and avalanche incidents become more frequent, while flat light, rapidly changing weather and heightened avalanche risk can make already difficult missions even more complex. Holiday periods may also bring several simultaneous call-outs, requiring crews to make quick decisions about aircraft availability, priorities, and the safest way to respond.”
At the same time, many missions are not seasonal at all, including medical emergencies, traffic accidents, and urgent patient transfers. Yet, no mission takes precedence over the safety of the crew. When conditions become too demanding, the plan must change, and in the most difficult circumstances, the operation may have to be aborted. Aufdenblatten said, “Such decisions are made collectively. If the available safety margin is insufficient, the crew reassesses the situation, reduces weight, changes the approach or brings in ground rescue teams. It is not uncommon for a mission to begin with Plan A and progress to Plan E before the patient finally reaches the hospital. In this environment, flexibility is not simply an advantage; it is essential.”
Once the technical decisions have been made and the aircraft has returned to
base, some missions remain with
the crews for years. “A few are deeply ingrained in my memory, including major incidents such as the bus accident in Sierre and the fire in Crans-Montana,” says Aufdenblatten. “Others stay with you because of the tragic circumstances involved, or because you remain in personal contact with the patients or their relatives. Yet, it is not only the difficult missions that leave a lasting impression. Many successful rescues and happy endings are just as unforgettable.”
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