The Origin of the Star of Life - Paramedic symbol
The following information supplied to us by Bob Fellows provides the history for the internationally used symol for the Ambulance profession.
The content wil be of immense use for those who might be presenting Ambulance service history, writing reports or for use with CPD.
The history of the Star of Life
The Star of Life (SOL) was designed by Mr. Leo Schwarts, EMS Branch Chief at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) United State of America. The star of life was created in 1973 as a common symbol to be used by US emergency medical services (EMS) and medical goods pertaining to EMS.
It
was after complaints from the American National Red Cross objecting to use of
the Omaha orange cross by ambulance services
throughout America
which clearly imitated the Red Cross symbol. The NHTSA investigated and
felt that the complaint was justified.
However the use of the Red Cross symbol can still be seen on military vehicles,
hospital tents and buildings to protect wounded civilian and military personnel
as per the Geneva Convention in times of war. The Six Bared blue symbol was
adapted from the medical identification symbol and was registered on February 1,
1997 with the commission of patents and trade marks in the name of the
NHTSA. The trade mark expired in 1997
Each
bar on the Star of Life represents one of six functions.
They are as follows:
* Detection
* Reporting
* Response
* On Scene Care
* Care in Transit
* Transfer to Definitive Care
Thu, 16th August 2007