• André Nohl, Christian Afflerbach, Christian Lurz, Sascha Zeiger, Veronika Weichert, Marko Brade, Bastian Brune, and Marcel Dudda.
• Ärztliche Leitung Rettungsdienst, Stabsstelle Rettungsdienst, Berufsfeuerwehr Oberhausen, Brücktorstraße 30, 46047 Oberhausen, Deutschland.
• Notfall Rettungsmed. 2021 Jul 16: 181-8.

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has also significantly burdened and challenged the German emergency medical services (EMS). In this regard, the personal protective equipment (PPE) and rules like wear a mask, stay 6 feet away from others, avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, wash your hands often (called AHA‑L rules in Germany) play an important role in reducing the spread of COVID-19 infections.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to evaluate the acceptance and compliance of PPE and protective measures among rescue service personnel in Germany during pandemic periods.MethodMore than 270 medical directors of EMS were contacted. They were asked to forward a web-based online survey to the rescue stations. Participants were asked about acceptance and compliance in everyday life, in the rescue station, during missions without COVID-19, during missions with COVID-19.ResultsThere were n = 1295 participants. Overall acceptance and compliance of PPE and protective measures is high. The lowest acceptance and compliance is found in the questions acceptance (mean = 4.16; ±1.01) and compliance (mean = 4.26; ±0.89) in the rescue station.ConclusionWe recommend targeted training regarding PPE in pandemics and the provision of appropriate premises for conflict-free compliance with AHA‑L rules.© Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature 2021.

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