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.
Request an Offer
Get a individual and customized quote tailored to the needs of your organization.
Become a Partner
Join our global network of trusted distribution and training partners.
Protecting patients and victims from the elements: How Rigloo can contribute to safety and stability
Weather is more than just the weather—it is a risk factor. Patients in emergency situations are physically and psychologically vulnerable. This vulnerability is greatly exacerbated when they are exposed to extreme weather conditions: blazing sun, wind, rain, snow, heat, or sand can be not only unpleasant but also life-threatening, especially for injured, immobilized, or unconscious people.
Especially in outdoor emergencies, disaster situations, large events, or in remote areas, protection from environmental factors is not a comfort measure, but part of initial medical care.
Key points:
- Environmental factors such as sun, heat, or insects have a direct impact on the well-being and stability of the patient.
- Visibility, temperature, and wind protection are part of comprehensive prevention.
- Global operations place special demands on materials and protection concepts.
The RIGLOO Rescuer Orange is a highly visible protective tent, ideal for use in cities or at the roadside. Its bright color ensures quick visibility and additional safety in busy environments.
The RIGLOO Defender Woodland was developed for rural or wooded areas. Its camouflage pattern blends harmoniously into the natural environment, making it ideal for military use.
The RIGLOO Defender Tundra is suitable for snowy or open terrain. With its unobtrusive design, it offers discreet protection while providing the same fast and reliable protection performance.
Global reality: Weather risks in a wide range of application scenarios
Rescue workers operate worldwide under a wide range of climatic conditions. From sun-drenched accident sites in southern Europe to monsoon operations in Southeast Asia, snowstorms in Scandinavia, and sandstorms in North Africa—the challenges vary, but one thing remains the same: those affected must be protected.
Typical operating conditions worldwide:
- Strong UV radiation and heat stress in southern and tropical regions
- Rain and flooding in subtropical zones
- Storms, snow, and ice in mountainous regions and continental climate zones
- Mosquitoes and other disease carriers in humid areas
- Sand and dust in arid and semi-arid regions
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.
Medical relevance of weather protection in emergencies
Rigloo protective tents are designed to create a closed, protective space within seconds. They are lightproof, weatherproof, windproof, and insect-proof, making them an effective means of weather protection in a wide variety of emergency scenarios.
Rigloo provides additional protection against:
- UV radiation: Thanks to an integrated sun protection factor, patients are protected from sunburn and heat stress.
- Heat and sunlight: Reflective materials reduce overheating inside.
- Rain and moisture: The tent skin is completely waterproof.
- Storm and snow: The stable construction can withstand even adverse wind conditions.
- Mosquitoes, flies, and other insects: Integrated nets on ventilation slots reduce carriers of infectious diseases
- Sand, dust, and dirt: Closed design protects eyes, airways, and wounds
Medical relevance of weather protection in emergencies
An unprotected body quickly loses its ability to regulate its temperature. At the same time, sun, wind, and insects increase the risk of infection and put strain on the circulatory system. Especially in children, elderly people, and weakened patients, environmental factors can lead to complications or even death.
Medical risks without adequate protection:
- Sunstroke, dehydration, and heat exhaustion
- Circulatory failure in wind, wet conditions, or hypothermia
- Wound infections caused by insects or contamination
- Exacerbation of chronic conditions (e.g., asthma in sand, cold, or damp conditions)
Rigloo can help stabilize the situation by creating a neutral environment until further medical measures can be taken by qualified personnel.
Logistical advantages in use: mobility meets protective function
Rigloo tents are not only medically useful, but also logistically optimized: compact storage, easy to transport, set up in seconds – no electricity, no tools, no special knowledge required.
For emergency services, this means:
- Greater confidence in uncertain weather conditions
- Less improvisation and time wasted
- Standardized equipment for different regions and scenarios
International deployment: Standardized protection for missions worldwide
Whether for UN relief efforts, NGO missions, humanitarian disaster relief, or national disaster control, Rigloo can be used across borders because it works independently of electricity, water, or infrastructure.
Examples of areas of application:
- Earthquake relief in hot or cold regions
- Refugee camps with insect risks and insufficient shade
- Medical stations at large events
- Mountain rescue, border security, or desert operations
Conclusion: Rigloo helps protect people from the weather, insects, and environmental pollution.
Weather conditions are not a minor issue—they are an integral part of medical and humanitarian safety in the field. Rigloo offers a ready-to-use solution to effectively shield patients and victims in a wide variety of environments and enable initial medical care under stable conditions.
The following applies:
- Rigloo does not replace medical treatment, but supports it as part of a comprehensive care concept
- In any case, medical professionals should be consulted, especially in cases of circulatory problems, sunstroke, heatstroke, or insect reactions.
Summary in three points:
- Weather protection is an essential part of humanitarian and medical aid
- Rigloo can create a protected space under extreme conditions and thus contribute to successful treatment
- Can be used worldwide, is mobile and quick – for anyone providing assistance outdoors
- 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.
