Emergency care physicians detect if patients at the scene of an emergency are in a life-threatening condition.
They are familiar with the necessary first-aid measures and either administer these themselves or delegate them to someone else. They are connected to a special alarm system and work closely with paramedics. They will treat patients in an acute life-threatening condition (e.g. unconsciousness, cardiac arrest, heart attack, stroke, heavy bleeding, injury, burns, etc.) either in or outside the home. Emergency care physicians will recognise if further treatment is required and refer patients to hospital or, if necessary, to a specialist clinic. Rescue flights also have on board an emergency doctor who holds a pilot's licence.