Two Divers Suffer Serious Decompression Illness After Rapid Ascent at Germany’s Kreidesee

Two experienced divers were seriously injured in a diving accident at Kreidesee in Hemmoor, northern Germany, after making an emergency ascent from a depth of around 60 metres. The incident occurred shortly after midday on Sunday and involved two men, aged 53 and 57, from the East Frisia region.

According to a report in the Morning Post, one of the divers experienced a medical emergency underwater, prompting both men to surface rapidly. Both divers reached the shore and were able to call for help, but soon began showing signs of severe decompression sickness—a potentially life-threatening condition caused by nitrogen bubbles forming in body tissues and the bloodstream.

Emergency services responded quickly. One diver, reported to be in more critical condition, was airlifted to a hyperbaric treatment facility in Halle, Saxony-Anhalt—the nearest location with an available decompression chamber. The second diver was transported by ambulance to a hospital in Stade for further treatment.

Kreidesee, a flooded former chalk quarry, is a popular dive site known for its exceptional visibility—often reaching 40 metres—and a variety of submerged structures including building remains, vehicles, and even an aircraft. Despite its appeal, the site has a history of diving incidents. The clear water can lead to misjudgment of depth, and conditions below 30 metres increase the risk of nitrogen narcosis and equipment malfunction, especially due to cold temperatures at depth.

This latest incident underscores the importance of thorough dive planning, appropriate gas mixes, and emergency preparedness when diving at greater depths—especially in environments known for their technical challenges.