[International air rescue].

The medical history of 1468 patients of German Air Rescue in 1993 has been investigated with regard to indications and rules which are used for the repatriation of sick or injured persons from abroad by aircraft. Decisions for repatriation should be made according to objective standardized criteria. The combination of the American Advisory Committee for Aeronautics rules with social components are suitable for this. In 2/3 of the patients, the indications are a mixture of medical and social components. The cost of the transportation are very high in many cases. The start of an action to fly home is determined also by the insuring body. As a result of this, the patient's influence is small. It is necessary to be a member of a rescue organisation for unproblematical repatriation.