Star of Life
The Star of Life is a symbol used to identify emergency medical services. It features blue six-pointed star outlined by a white border. The middle contains a Rod of Asclepius – an ancient symbol of medicine. The Star of Life can be found on ambulances, medical personnel uniforms, and other merchandise. Elevators marked with the symbol indicate the lift is large enough to hold a stretcher. Bracelets sometimes use the symbol to indicate one has a medical condition.
The Star of Life is widely used around the world, but like many international symbols, it has not been adopted everywhere. Its use is restricted to authorized personnel in some countries.
History[]
The Star of Life originated in the United States. Previously, ambulances in the country commonly displayed a safety orange cross on a square background. This was only a slight variation from the Greek style crucifix used by the Red Cross.
In 1963, the American Medical Association (AMA) designed the Star of Life as a universal symbol for medical identification. The AMA did not trademark or copyright the symbol.[1]
Use to Alleviate Confusion with Red Cross Emblem & Protected Status
The Star of Life was promoted by the American Red Cross and rapidly adopted worldwide as an emergency medical symbol.[2][3] In 1970, when the American Medical Association's Committee on Emergency Medical Services formed the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT),[4][5] the AMA chose the Star of Life to designate nationally certified Emergency Medical Services personnel. In 1973, the NREMT filed for a trademark for the Star of Life logo, under the category of a collective membership mark. This version featured a Star of Life enveloped by a circle. NREMT's trademark was granted in 1975, but "was not renewed and therefore has expired."[6] NREMT subsequently registered a service mark featuring a Star of Life and the words "NATIONAL REGISTRY." This logo's trademark remains active.[7]
In 1973, the American Red Cross complained that the orange cross too closely resembled their logo of a red cross on a white background, the usage of which is restricted by the Geneva Conventions.[8] Dr. Dawson Mills, Chief of the EMS Branch, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the United States, asked the National Registry of EMTs for permission to use the star as the "national identifier for Emergency Medical Services" in the United States.[9][10]
Leo R. Schwartz, Chief of the EMS Branch, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the United States, modified the Star of Life by adding the six main tasks of Emergency Medical Services and changing the color to blue. The "blue Star of Life" was recommended for adoption by the United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare on October 25, 1973,[11] and was registered as a certification mark on February 1, 1977 in the name of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (registration number 1058022). Both NREMT's version and the US government's modification omit the white outline around the edge common on many of today's ambulances.
The US government's registration lists uses of the Star of Life, including "emergency medical care" and "emergency medical care vehicles." The US government's registration does not list any international classes of trademark.[12]
Federal standards dictate requirements ambulances in the US must satisfy in order to display the Star of Life.[13] The federal government has given states additional authority to manage the symbol.[14] Private ambulance operators like AMR have trademarked logos featuring an embedded Star of Life.[15]
Symbolism[]
The six branches of the star represent the six main tasks executed by rescuers all through the emergency chain:[16]
- Detection: The first rescuers on the scene, usually untrained civilians or those involved in the incident, observe the scene, understand the problem, identify the dangers to themselves and the others, and take appropriate measures to ensure their safety on the scene (environmental, electricity, chemicals, radiation, etc.).
- Reporting: The call for professional help is made and dispatch is connected with the victims, providing emergency medical dispatch.
- Response: The first rescuers provide first aid and immediate care to the extent of their capabilities.
- On scene care: The EMS personnel arrive and provide immediate care to the extent of their capabilities on-scene.
- Care in transit: The EMS personnel proceed to transfer the patient to a hospital via an ambulance or helicopter for specialized care. They provide medical care during the transportation.
- Transfer to definitive care: Appropriate specialized care is provided at the hospital.
Use Around the World[]
Asia[]
Vehicles of the Hong Kong Fire Services display the Star of Life. The symbol is also widely used in mainland China, Japan, and Singapore. It is less common in South Korea, where ambulances display a green cross and green lights.
Central and South America[]
The Star of Life is used in many Spanish speaking nations, where it is known as "La Estrella De La Vida." [17] In Argentina, Sistema de Atención Médica de Emergencia (SAME), the capital district ambulance service, uses a green and slightly rounded version of the Star of Life in their logo. In Brazil, the Star of Life is incorporated into the national emergency service's visual identity standards. [18] Brazil's ABNT Standard NBR 14561 for ambulance design makes direct reference to being based on the American Star of Life vehicle. Ambulances which do not comply with the Brazilian standard are prohibited from displaying the Star of Life or the word “RESGATE” (rescue).[19]
Australia and New Zealand[]
A few patient transport providers like Ambulance Service Australia use the Star of Life. However, it is far more common to see the Maltese Cross in this region.
European Union[]
European Union ambulance design standard CEN 1789 section A1 Recognition and Visibility of Ambulances states:
With the exception of Red Cross societies or where the "Star of life" is locally registered, a blue reflective "Star of life" emblem (minimum size 500 mm) together with reflective letters, numerals or a symbol identifying the organization and the vehicle, should be applied to the roof of the ambulance...a blue reflective "Star of life" emblem should [also] be applied to the sides and rear of the ambulance. [20]
In Portugal, the Star of Life is referred to by the Portuguese name “Estrela Da Vida.” In March 1977, the Portuguese national ambulance service SNS filed a trademark registration on the symbol, which was granted in 1981. The Portuguese national ambulance service continues to hold a trademark registration in the country, which is used to certify that vehicles are "in accordance with INEM standards" and personnel have "proper preparation." It may also be used on maps and road signs "to indicate the location or access to qualified emergency medical care services."[21]
Middle East[]
Most ambulances in Turkey do not use the Star of Life. Ambulances in Iran commonly display the Star of Life. Egyptian Ministry of Health ambulances display the Star of Life on one rear door, and a red crescent on the other.[22] National Ambulance in the United Arab Emirates does not display the Star of Life, instead showing an EKG graphic on the sides and rear. In Saudi Arabia, the Red Crescent Society answers the emergency line, and provides service in vehicles bearing the crescent emblem.
In Israel, Magen David Adom displays a red Jewish star, sometimes combined with a Star of Life. The Jewish star is paired with the red crystal in times of conflict. Israel's other ambulance operator, United Hatzalah, has a logo which combines the Star of Life with a Jewish Star. In Palestinian controlled areas, the Palestine Red Crescent Society provides ambulance service in vehicles displaying a red crescent, alongside private operators who often display the Star of Life.
India[]
Indian Automotive Industry Standard AIS-125 is the National Ambulance Code of India. This document is managed jointly by the Automotive Research Association and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. It requires ambulances display several distinctive markings including a reflective Battenburg pattern, the word "AMBULANCE", and the emergency telephone number. The standard states "Displayed on the upper half of the left side should be a 'Star of Life' symbol, with a size of 40cm x 40cm... Displayed on the left back window should be a 'Star of Life' symbol, with a size of 85% of the window".[23]
United Kingdom[]
Some NHS ambulances in the UK display the Star of Life in addition to the local Ambulance Service emblem. These (latter) emblems have a pale gold six-spoked wheel with a Rod of Asclepius in the foreground. A crown and Maltese Cross, a common EMS emblem in Commonwealth nations, are included in the design.
Unicode[]
| ⚕ | |
|---|---|
Staff of Aesculapius | |
| In Unicode | U+2695 ⚕ STAFF OF AESCULAPIUS (HTML ⚕) |
| Related | |
| See also | U+1F7BA
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