Diver Rescued After Emergency Ascent at Lake Starnberg’s Steep Wall

A sport diver was airlifted to a specialist clinic after a serious incident at Lake Starnberg’s renowned Allmannshausen wall on Thursday morning, October 23. The man reportedly made an emergency ascent and soon displayed symptoms consistent with decompression sickness, prompting a major rescue response.

According to reports in Chiemgau24, the diver surfaced in distress around 11:45 am near the steep wall, one of the lake’s most popular deep-dive locations. Rescue units from the Wasserwacht Ammerland, Starnberg, Feldafing, and Wolfratshausen immediately mobilised, supported by the DLRG Pöcking and Starnberg emergency medical services.

On arrival, the diver had already reached the shore, allowing medics to begin treatment on land. Under the coordination of Wasserwacht mission leader Michael Döhla, the man was stabilised and transferred by helicopter to a hyperbaric facility for further care.

Döhla praised the seamless collaboration between emergency services, noting that “every minute counts in a diving emergency, and the swift coordination between the water rescue units, DLRG, and paramedics ensured rapid medical care and transfer to the specialist clinic.”

The incident drew support from multiple volunteer rescue groups and concluded after roughly an hour of coordinated response. While the diver’s condition has not been officially released, local outlets including Süddeutsche Zeitung confirm that he was successfully stabilised before evacuation.

Lake Starnberg, located south of Munich, is a favourite among technical and recreational divers for its steep underwater cliffs and exceptional visibility, but the depth and cold thermoclines can pose risks for those unacclimatised or diving beyond experience limits.