19.04.2024 | Bericht
Maximilian Gießelmann – DLRG
The spume of a river – and a DLRG river rescuer in the center. Maximilian Gießelmann’s photo is pretty action-packed. In this interview, the 28-year-old tells us who jumped into the waters of the Isar, why he was there with his camera and how many times he had to press the shutter button to take this winning photo. Small spoiler: It was more than a hundred times …
The water was Maximilian Gießelmann’s element from an early age: he began swimming training in the fifth grade. He became active in the DLRG during his A-levels and can now look back on a decade of voluntary work. Maximilian covers many areas: as a trainer for swimming lessons, as a boat driver, current rescuer, EHSH instructor (first aid with self-protection content) and now also as a group leader. But how is it that Maximilian is also good with a camera despite his attraction to the water?
More than “just” a swimming instructor
As a media technology graduate, Maximilian is also interested in photography. He says: “As I work in print and media technology, I’ve submitted the one or other project in the past.” So far, however, these submissions have come to nothing – so Maximilian was all the more pleased to have hit the nail on the head with his photo this time. But how did the submission come about in the first place? Maximilian explains the basic motivation for choosing this particular photo as follows: “In Geretsried, we are mainly known as swimming coaches from the indoor pools. We want to change that and be recognized more for our water rescue service.“
A photo against all odds
What could be more fitting than submitting a spectacular photo of a river rescuer? The fact that there are so many of these photos on Maximilian’s hard drive was down to chance – in two ways. Firstly, the DLRG had scheduled an exercise in 2021. “With great effort and additional expense, we were able to hold it despite coronavirus,” Maximilian remembers. Secondly, the winning photo would not have existed if Maximilian had taken part in the exercise himself. However, he was unable to do so due to injury, which is why he grabbed a camera instead: a real stroke of luck in retrospect.
An experienced river rescuer in action
Even if it is hard to imagine how such a photo would be arranged, Maximilian makes it clear: “The pictures are not posed, of course.” But how is such a snapshot in full action possible? It only works by repeating it, Maximilian makes clear: “I have about 200 other pictures from the exercise that turned out absolutely nothing.” Incidentally, the photo shows Technical Director Operations Bendikt Schrettenbrunner, an experienced river rescuer. He was delighted that the photo was so successful in the competition, reports Maximilian. “But he doesn’t like being in the spotlight. That’s probably why he’s pleased that he’s not so easily recognizable in the picture,” he adds with a grin.
The danger is always there
Anyone looking at the picture will probably find it hard to imagine being up to the task of a river rescuer. But Maximilian says: “In fact, we can train almost anyone to become a river rescuer. However, a certain level of physical fitness and the right mental attitude are among the most important qualifications.” For example, initial fitness for action is regularly measured using the Cooper test, which some people may remember from school. What remains is always a certain amount of risk: “We regularly put ourselves in danger. You have to be able to deal with that.”
Wild water: ignorance can be fatal
But the image certainly not only inspires respect for the work of the river rescuer – the elemental force of a raging river is also impressively captured. It is clear at first glance that a seemingly harmless day of swimming in the river can have fatal consequences. And this is precisely the message Maximilian wants to communicate with his photo: “Wild rivers are dangerous. Unlike indoor swimming pools, wild rivers are unpredictable. Every teenager here in Geretsried is on the Isar in summer. And it’s important to know what the water can potentially do to you.”
The photo causes a stir – right up to the Bavarian state government
Thanks to Maximilian’s photo, many more people are now aware of the dangers of wild rivers. Of course, his commitment to motivating as many people as possible to vote has also made waves. How did he approach this? “The DLRG regularly deploys rescue teams to the coast. I’ve also been there a few times. So I contacted all the rescue teams from that time. They then activated their local associations.” Of course, Maximilian was also delighted to inform his fellow students at the university. The publicity has already paid off, reports Maximilian: “We actually received a request from the Bavarian Ministry of the Interior asking if they could use the photo for a brochure.”
Safety on the water is the common goal
For those who simply cannot imagine jumping into a raging river, there are of course other tasks at the DLRG. Maximilian makes it clear: “There are so many other activities: Public relations, youth work, swimming coaches at schools and also the many administrative tasks. We have many lifeguards, but not all of them.” As varied as the activities at the DLRG may be, they are all based on the same motivation: ensuring safety in the water. This element unites the volunteers – beyond age limits and other boundaries. “You get to meet so many exciting people, you make friends in the association, make contacts and become part of a large community with the same goal,” says Maximilian, describing his “volunteer feeling”.
Maximilian’s winning picture can be seen in the exhibitions „Held:innen von nebenan – Ehrenamtliche im Porträt“ in Kiel, Koblenz and Chemnitz.