First Aid Sign

First Aid Sign – SOLAS Life Saving Appliance LA0020

Every SOLAS-classed vessel must give crew and passengers an unmistakable way to locate first aid equipment aboard. The LA0020 first aid sign is the photoluminescent marker that does exactly that: a green background carrying the internationally recognised cross pictogram, glowing brightly enough to guide someone to the equipment even after main lighting has failed.

Because this pictogram communicates through shape and colour rather than language, it works identically for a multinational crew, a port state control inspector, or a passenger who has never read a safety manual. That universal readability is exactly why SOLAS Chapter III and the LSA Code call for this style of marking at every life-saving and medical station aboard a vessel, and it is why shipowners standardise on the same first aid sign fleet-wide.

Why First Aid Signs Matter

First aid equipment is only useful if it can be found in seconds. In an injury response, whether a minor cut in the galley or a more serious incident on deck, the responder needs to locate supplies without wasting time searching corridors or store rooms. A crew member or passenger scanning an unfamiliar space should not have to guess where the nearest first aid kit or station is. The sign removes that uncertainty, turning a frantic search into a direct sightline to the equipment.

The sign also plays a role well beyond the moment of an incident. During musters, safety rounds, and flag-state or class surveys, inspectors check that first aid stations are correctly marked and that stowage positions match the vessel’s safety plan. A missing or faded first aid sign is a common finding on port state control inspections, and rectifying it after the fact is far more disruptive than fitting a compliant sign during the original outfit.

Compliance and Certification

This sign is manufactured to the pictogram format required under SOLAS Chapter III and the LSA Code, which set out equipment carriage and marking requirements for life-saving and medical appliances on ships of all classes. The photoluminescent substrate meets IMO photoluminescence performance standards, meaning the first aid sign continues to glow for an extended period after the loss of ambient light, satisfying low-location and emergency-lighting marking expectations that class societies look for during survey.

Using the correct, unaltered pictogram also keeps a vessel’s safety plan consistent with what is physically fitted onboard. Safety plans, muster lists, and crew familiarisation drills all reference standard symbols, so a sign that departs from the recognised first aid icon can create confusion during an audit or an actual medical emergency.

Installation Recommendations

Mount the LA0020 sign directly above or immediately adjacent to the first aid kit, cabinet, or station it identifies, at a height and angle that keeps it visible from the main walking line in that corridor, mess room, or work area. Position the sign clear of shelving, noticeboards, or fittings that could obscure it, since photoluminescent material needs direct exposure to ambient or emergency lighting to charge properly.

Clean the surface before fitting with marine-grade adhesive or mechanical fixings appropriate to the substrate — painted steel, GRP, or laminate bulkhead — and avoid overlapping the sign with cabinet doors or other fixtures that could obscure it in service.

• Standard sizing to match IMO sign format requirements, with larger formats available for busy crew and passenger areas
• Photoluminescent (glow-in-the-dark) pigment for visibility during blackout or low-light conditions
• UV-stable and saltwater-resistant construction rated for continuous exterior or interior marine exposure
• Self-adhesive backing plus optional screw-fixing points for secure mounting on vertical or curved surfaces
• Rigid, corrosion-resistant substrate that resists cracking and fading through repeated cleaning cycles

Fit LA0020 at every first aid station aboard and keep a spare in the ship’s safety locker so a damaged sign can be replaced without delay — a small, inexpensive item that keeps a vessel’s medical response equipment easy to find and audit-ready.

First aid signage is one part of a complete life-saving and medical marking package. Explore our Hazard Signs range for onboard hazard identification, or the Fire Fighting Signs range to complete marking of fire-fighting stations and appliances throughout the vessel.