The Blue “Star of Life” is the official designated Emergency Medical Care Symbol.
The Blue “Star of Life” on Your Medical ID
You might have noticed that on your engraved medical ID bracelet, there is a blue star, but where does it come from, and what does it mean. That is an answer that Universal Medical Data is proud to share with you.
The blue “Star of Life” is actually an officially-designated emergency medical care symbol that is universally recognized when worn by a patient to inform medical care providers about potential medical conditions or appropriate treatments for that patient. It is used in accordance with programs established by both State and Federal agencies.
HISTORY
Leo R. Schwartz, chief of the Emergency Medical Services Systems (EMS) branch of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), designed the “Star of Life” in response to the need for a uniform symbol to represent the EMS. It was adapted from the Medical Identification Symbol of the American Medical Association and was registered as a certification mark on February 1st, 1977.
Each of the six points on the blue “Star of Life” represents the six-system function of the EMS, as illustrated below, while the staff on the star represents medicine and healing.
Universal Medical Data’s “Star of Life” is designed for immediate recognition by Emergency Medical Responders, in the event of a medical emergency, that you have an existing medical condition. Emergency Medical Responders are trained to look for additional information about your condition when they see the “Star of Life,” so that they can quickly and more accurately diagnose and treat you. For this reason all of our Medical Alert products have the “Star of Life” engraved, embossed or printed on them.