The aim of primary air rescue is to assist the ground-level rescue services by bringing emergency physicians and rescue assistants more quickly to the scene of the accident, and, if necessary, to carry but the swiftest possible and most careful transport of emergency patients to the nearest suitable hospital. Furthermore, the rescue helicopter can substitute for the ambulance car in case of unsuitable terrain, or in certain climatic conditions.

Limitations of helicopter services include night, certain weather conditions, cost and distance. Helicopters are centered in Air Rescue Centres which have an operational radius of 30-50 km. Expense permits only one helicopter to be stationed in each center, but if the helicopter is not able to fly, a replacement machine must be available immediately. Secondary rescue operations should be taken over by neighboring centers.

In 1983, the Federal Republic of Germany had 36 officially recognized helicopter centers concerned with primary air rescue. They are supported by the Federal Home Office (emergency control) (18 centers), the Army (6), the German Air Rescue (5), the ADAC (German Automobile Club) (4), and other organizations (3). The Swiss Air Rescue in Basel, Switzerland covers Germany's area of South Baden, and the French Air Rescue in Strasbourg covers middle Baden.