"In dire need" returns in spring 2026 with a second season. The popular series from Bavarian Broadcasting closely follows volunteer emergency responders during real-life missions in the Bavarian Alps.
Good news for series fans: Bavarian Broadcasting (BR) has announced a second season of the series "In Dire Need – Mountain Rescuers in Action". The production follows rescue operations of mountain rescue teams from Grainau and Ramsau in the Bavarian Alps. Also appearing on January 2nd is... a bonus episode, which shows a difficult Zugspitze rescue operation by the Grainau mountain rescue team from this spring.
The series depicts the dangerous daily life of mountain rescue workers.
Even in its first season, "In Dire Need" vividly depicted what mountain rescuers experience when others are in dire straits. In times of sudden weather changes, botched tour planning, or the danger of avalanches and rockfalls, every minute counts to free hikers or skiers from life-threatening situations.
You can never see everything. You'll usually be surprised.
Mountain rescuers in the teaser for season 2
Filming took place partly under extreme conditions using body cameras and 360-degree cameras, which the mountain rescuers always carry with them on their missions. Camera crews also documented daily life at the on-call stations.
Season 2 shows a "record year" in missions
Im Teaser There are already initial insights into the challenges facing the mountain rescue teams from Grainau, Ramsau, and – new this year – Bad Reichenhall in season 2. The situation on the mountain was particularly tense for the volunteers this year. Andreas Pischl from the Grainau mountain rescue service speaks of a "record year" in terms of the number of missions in 2025.
Even though the Bavarian Mountain Rescue Service's accident report won't be published until spring, the number of call-outs is likely to exceed last year's figures once again. In 2024, rescue teams responded to a total of 8.306 incidents, around 1.750 of which required helicopter support. The number of rescues has also recently increased in neighboring countries, for example at the Tyrolean mountain rescue service.
The more people there are in the mountains, the more accidents happen.
Christian Eder, Mountain Rescue Tyrol
A tribute to the volunteer rescue teams
What should not be forgotten during the spectacular operations of "In dire need": The approximately 4.500 rescuers of the Bavarian Mountain Rescue Service. They work exclusively on a voluntary basis.A total of 107 emergency response units ensure the rescue service in the Bavarian Alps, low mountain ranges and caves, as well as disaster relief and nature conservation.
The volunteers are ready to risk their lives to save others 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This also applies to numerous self-inflicted emergencies, such as those caused by climbers overestimating their abilities. With season 2 of "In Dire Need," BR and Timeline Production once again highlight what should never be taken for granted.
Season 1: All episodes available to watch again
Before "In dire need" continues in spring 2026, you can watch it in the ARD media library or on the BR YouTube channel Watch all eight episodes of the first season.
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Credits cover photo: Bavarian Broadcasting/Timeline Production