Let's make this clear, REGA has no high accident rate! The accident rate of logging and utility operators are somewhat high in Switzerland.
The SHG (Swiss Helicopter Group) consists of Air Grischa, Heli Gotthard, Heli Swiss, BOHAG and Rhein Helicopter AG and they are working closely with REGA and any Pilot working for the SHG is automatically suitable to work for REGA. If you want to work for the SHG or REGA you must pass a test that was designed to select suitable Pilots for Swissair. This test is quite tough to pass. As previously mentioned in this tread, there are many Swiss pilots that are standing in line for a job with REGA. These Pilots are just getting tired of pushing their luck with utility work in Switzerland (wire strike is the most cause for accidents in Switzerland).
I myself got 2500 hrs. TT with 1000 hrs. twin time in Offshore ops and have now about 1700 hrs PIC. I have tried to get in with many operators here in Switzerland including REGA and even know many Pilots of REGA but have yet no luck as almost all operators opt for their ground staff that have been with them for years and know the operation. In some cases they (operators) will even pay for some of the training......
I myself have pretty much given up on the chance to get in with REGA since I will reach the magic 40 years of age in a couple of years.....and the cost of getting a mountain endorsement in Switzerland is going to be about £10000.
REGA was advertising for 2 pilot positions last year, one in Basel and the other one in Locarno. The job in Basel required to have 5000 rotations of underslung load and the other 10000 rotations of sling ops. This is something you will not get in Offshore ops (maybe on the short line but not long line)....
So, get out of Offshore and get your butt flying for a utility company if you ever want to fly for REGA or any other utility operator in Switzerland.
Good luck,
Bitmonx