The Star of Life (SOL) was designed by Mr. Leo Schwarts,
EMS Branch Chief at the Nationa Highway Traffic Saftey
Administration (NHTSA) United State of America. The star
of life was created in 1973 as a common symbol to be use
by US emergency medical services (EMS) and medical
goods pertaining to EMS.

It was after complaints from the American National Red Cross objecting
to 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 cevilian and
military parsonal as per the Geneva Convention in times of war.
The Six Bared blue symbol was adapted from the medical identification
symbol and was registed 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

The Snake and the Wand (part of the Caduceus) portray the staff of
Aesculapus - (son of Apollo) - the God of Medicine and Health.
The Star of Life Symbol can be seen as a means of identification on
ambulances and ambulance equipment world wide. Its use on EMS
patches in the US and other countries signifies the wearer has been
trained to meet National or State Training Standards as laid down
from time to time.