A method is for operating an electromechanical or electrohydraulic work appliance or rescue appliance that can be carried and used by an operator, having a movable tool insert, a spreading tool or a lifting tool, a housing, an electric motor, a pump or a mechanical transmission driven by the electric motor, for actuating the tool insert. The appliance has an exchangeable, rechargeable appliance electrical energy source, having a housing in or on the rescue appliance. During operation of the appliance, operating data of the appliance and/or of the energy source are acquired and transferred into a data carrier or data storage device in the electrical energy source. The electrical energy source is removed from the appliance and connected to a charging device. The operating data stored in the data carrier or storage device of the electrical energy source are read by the charging device and transferred to a network.