PATIENT PRIVACY AND PROTECTION
A Rigloo shelter is a lightweight, inflatable emergency tent designed for first responders. It can be quickly placed over the patient and rescuer without moving them, which is vital in trauma cases.
It provides immediate protection from weather, helps retain body heat, and offers privacy in public areas. The Rigloo is compact, fast to deploy, and protects both patient and responder, allowing safer and more effective care. In short, it’s a portable emergency shelter that can save lives when time matters.
THE UNIQUE P.O.P.S. STRUCTURE
Due to the unique P.O.P.S. structure (Place / Over / Patient / Structure), the RIGLOO Prehospital Shelter Tent can be quickly and safely placed over the patient and the first responder without moving them.
This feature is crucial for a shelter like Rigloo because the unique P.O.P.S. structure allows it to be quickly placed over the patient and responder without moving them. This minimizes risk in critical situations and provides immediate protection from weather and public view, improving safety and care on scene.
The RIGLOO Rescuer Orange is a high-visibility emergency shelter, ideal for urban or roadside use. Its bright color ensures quick location and added safety in busy environments.
The RIGLOO Defender Woodland is designed for rural or forested areas. Its camo pattern blends into natural surroundings, making it ideal for military or wilderness operations.
The RIGLOO Defender Tundra suits snowy or open terrain. With a low-visibility design, it offers discreet protection while delivering the same fast, reliable shelter performance.
The EuroHeater is a compact, Diesel-powered heater to warm the inside of the Rigloo shelter. It helps maintain patient body temperature, supporting safe and effective prehospital care.
The CareFlare is a high-intensity, portable safety beacon used to mark the rescue site. Visible from a distance, it improves scene safety and guides additional responders to the location.
Rigloo is a Scottish invention. The design and engineering were carried out entirely in this country. The idea behind Rigloo was inspired by harsh weather conditions and the specific requirements for mobile emergency shelters.
RIGLOO SHELTERS ADVANTAGES
RIGLOO Medical Shelters protect medical staff and patients from the prying eyes of onlookers. RIGLOO Shelters also protect the patient and physician from environmental influences such as wind, rain, cold, and sun, allowing for more focused and calm treatment. Protection from such environmental influences reduces stress and anxiety and can protect against excessive cooling (hyperthermia) of the patient.
The unique P.O.P.S. structure (Place / Over / Patient / Structure) allows the RIGLOO protective tent to be quickly and safely deployed over the patient and first responder. The declared goal is to move the patient as little as possible, treat him medically, and still protect him until transport can take place.
RIGLOO Medical Shelters allow first responders and physicians a high degree of freedom of movement during the treatment phase. In the RIGLOO Medical Shelters, a stretcher as well as other medical tools can be stored without any problems and the treating physician finds enough space next to it for the initial treatment.
RIGLOO Shelters serve a range of emergency situations. This applies to both civilian and tactical operations. The focus is always on prehospital care. RIGLOO Shelters are used for: Emergency care at accident scenes, protection in emergency situations, extended field care, search and rescue operations, medical emergencies, roadside rescues, and much more.
The aim is to move the victims as little as possible. To achieve this, the medical shelter must be able to be placed over the patient and the first rescuer. Thanks to a removable bottom, the RIGLOO Medical Shelters can be placed over the patient and the first rescuer and protect them from all unwanted influences
Quick to deploy and reusable – RIGLOO Medical Shelters are quick to set up and deploy. On average, the Medical & Ambulance Shelters are ready for use in one minute. The RIGLOO Shelters have inflatable and stable air chambers which enable this quick setup.
The RIGLOO Medical & Ambulance Shelter is easy to carry, inflate and operate. The RIGLOO Shelter is appropriately lightweight and is carried in a backpack that contains everything you need in an emergency. It can therefore be used not only by emergency responders in the prehospital phase but also by inexperienced persons to create a shelter until the rescue professionals arrive.
RIGLOO Shelters are designed with the needs of emergency responders in the prehospital phase in mind. RIGLOO Medical Shelters, therefore, feature the following solutions: IV Fluid Bag Attachment – Loops and pockets for holding or hanging saline, blood bags, and accessories are always present on RIGLOO shelter tents.
RIGLOO shelter tents are designed to be carried or stored in a bag or backpack. RIGLOO shelter tents weigh 8 kg including pump. RIGLOO Shelter solutions can easily be carried on a small emergency vehicle such as a quad bike or motorcycle. The RIGLOO backpack fits in almost every trunk of a vehicle.
RIGLOO protective shelters are robust, durable, and waterproof. Range of use from -50 Celsius to +60 Celius. SPF sun protection factor 30. RIGLOO shelters are not designed to spend days. It is about protection for short periods of time until the patient is transported away. RIGLOO shelters can be used several times
RIGLOO shelters are equipped with airflow controls and mosquito nets. Deployments in different climatic zones are therefore naturally part of the repertoire of a RIGLOO solution.
RIGLOO USECASES
Provides instant weather protection and privacy for patients and responders at crash scenes.
Covers injured workers immediately, shielding them from dust, noise, and public view.
Offers a private and weather-safe area for treating athletes directly on the field.
Lightweight and portable shelter for harsh terrain, preventing hypothermia and exposure.
Acts as a quick-deploy treatment space for triage and emergency care in large-scale events.
Camouflage versions provide discreet field care under tough and unpredictable conditions.
Serves as an immediate protective station for evacuees or rescue personnel in crisis zones.
Gives medical teams a fast and private setup for crowd-related incidents or minor injuries.
Temporary shelter solution for vulnerable people during heatwaves or freezing temperatures.
Covers patients on site before airlift, eliminating the need to move them pre-transport.
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Privacy protection for patients and victims: Why Rigloo protective tents are setting new standards
People at the center of emergency response – Whether it’s a traffic accident, a medical emergency in public, or a major incident, emergency responders work under not only physical pressure, but also moral and social pressure. In addition to providing rapid medical assistance, protecting those affected is a key concern that is increasingly becoming the focus of public debate: How do we protect the dignity of people in exceptional situations – visibly, effectively, and in a legally sound manner?
In times of constant smartphone availability and media attention, one thing is clear: privacy protection is not an option, but a duty.
Key messages:
- Privacy protection is part of emergency medical care
- Lack of privacy protection can lead to retraumatization and invasion of privacy
- Social and legal pressure on emergency services is growing
The RIGLOO Rescuer Orange is a high-visibility emergency shelter, ideal for urban or roadside use. Its bright color ensures quick location and added safety in busy environments.
The RIGLOO Defender Woodland is designed for rural or forested areas. Its camo pattern blends into natural surroundings, making it ideal for military or wilderness operations.
The RIGLOO Defender Tundra suits snowy or open terrain. With a low-visibility design, it offers discreet protection while delivering the same fast, reliable shelter performance.
Legal framework in Europe: Protection of privacy is a human right
European legislation requires healthcare and emergency services organizations to protect the privacy of patients—even and especially during public operations. The following standards are particularly relevant in this context:
- European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), Art. 8:
- Respect for private and family life, including protection against unauthorized observation or publication of images.
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):
- Images and information that allow conclusions to be drawn about a person’s state of health or identity are considered particularly sensitive. Publicly accessible images of injured or deceased persons may constitute a violation of data protection laws – even for public authorities.
- State police laws and emergency services laws:
- In many EU countries, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, these laws explicitly stipulate the obligation to protect privacy during operations.
Consequences of non-compliance:
- Data protection sanctions for institutions
- Personal liability of incident commanders
- Public damage to the reputation of authorities and emergency services
FOR OPTIMAL SAFETY: The CareFlare is a portable safety beacon with high directional luminosity that is used to mark the location of a rescue site. It is visible from a great distance, improves safety at the accident site, and guides additional rescue personnel to the scene.
FOR ACTIVE HEAT PRODUCTION: The EuroHeater is a compact, diesel-powered heater for heating the Rigloo protective tent. It helps to actively maintain the body temperature of patients.
Practical challenge: Effective privacy protection under time pressure
Public spaces are complex locations. Whether at accident-prone intersections, sporting events, or train platforms, the time window for setting up privacy screens is minimal and the logistical burden is high. Conventional aids such as tarpaulins, barrier tape, or vehicles are often improvised, costly, or impractical.
Typical application problems:
- Setup takes too long or requires several people
- Material is unwieldy or not weatherproof
- Lack of mobility and reusability complicate logistics
The solution: Rigloo protective tents – mobile, quick, dignified
Rigloo offers a well-designed, application-optimized privacy solution that has been specially developed for emergency and rescue scenarios. The Rigloo protective tent unfolds automatically in a matter of seconds—without any complicated assembly, tools, or power supply.
Features that set Rigloo apart:
- Set up in seconds thanks to self-unfolding design
- Complete visual shielding from all directions
- Lightweight, compact, and robust – ideal for any emergency vehicle
In addition, the tents provide a protected space for administering first aid, communicating with those affected, or talking to relatives – even under difficult conditions such as rain, darkness, or in the midst of crowds.
Rigloo in action: maintaining dignity, ensuring confidence in action
The use of a mobile privacy screen not only changes the appearance of an operation, but also its dynamics. Emergency personnel report calmer working conditions, fewer disturbances from onlookers, and increased concentration.
Psychosocial benefits for those affected and emergency personnel:
- Prevents victims from feeling exposed or helpless
- Reduces the risk of secondary traumatization
- Promotes calmer and more focused work at the scene
At the same time, Rigloo has been proven to meet the minimum legal requirements for privacy and data protection—and goes far beyond them.
Conclusion: Privacy protection is a responsibility – Rigloo is the solution
In modern rescue services and civil protection, privacy protection is no longer an optional accessory, but an integral part of professional operational standards. Rigloo offers a practical solution that both complies with legal requirements and demonstrates ethical responsibility.
Organizations that invest in prevention, dignity protection, and professionalism send a clear message—to those affected, to society, and to the legal system.
- Rigloo stands for fast, effective privacy protection in emergencies.
- The solution protects human dignity, complies with EU law, and improves operational procedures.
- An investment in Rigloo is an investment in responsibility and trust.
- Vogt-CTE GmbH
- Erlenauweg 17
- CH 3110 Münsingen
- +41 33 223 72 12
- info@vogt-cte.com
- VAT CH - CHE-251.716.630 MWST
- UID CH - CHE-251.716.630
- CH ID - CH-036-4065213-9
- EORI - DE684075747272454
- ZAZ - 17790-0 Vogt-CTE GmbH
WE SUPPLY RESCUE INNOVATIONS
At Vogt-CTE, we offer our European trading partners access to unique innovations in the field of rescue. Our solutions make rescue operations easier, faster, safer, and less resource-intensive. The products we represent are highly specialized, proven in the field, and make a real difference — saving lives every day. We don’t just bring products to market — we deliver progress. Together with our partners, we ensure that these innovations reach the people who need them most: those on the front lines of rescue operations.
