[Emergency systems in Styria].

Since 1980 the emergency systems of Graz consisting of two emergency ambulances, two large space emergency ambulances and an emergency helicopter with a range of more than 50 km has been sufficient. The two helicopters cover nearly 100% of the Federal State of Styria but regarding the ground emergency systems there are still insufficiently covered areas in many parts of our state. The ground emergency systems can only be supported but they cannot be replaced by the helicopter. We hope to have an emergency ambulance at every peripheral hospital in the future. Now an efficient emergency system exists in Graz since the first public lecture on first aid and reanimation has been held 175 years ago. The missing link of a well functioning rescue chain is a well trained lay assistant whose level of training regarding "Life Saving Emergency Measures" constantly has to be refreshed. Only with a sufficient number of trained lay assistants it is possible to save all those who have a real chance of successful reanimation.