Introduction From Carlos - Founder Of 'BristolResus4All'
BristolResus4All was born out of a deep commitment to making our community safer, better prepared, and more connected.
My Name is Carlos Santos
I came to the UK alone in 2006 at the age of 21, from a small village in Portugal, I arrived with very little but brought with me hope, determination, and the drive to build a better future. It was here in Bristol that I found my true home.
Since then, I’ve worked as a bus driver for 18 years, volunteered as a Special Constable with the police, and now live with my family in Cadbury Heath. Over the years, I’ve witnessed just how quickly a medical emergency can strike and how helpless people can feel when they’re not trained or equipped to respond.
Just before Christmas 2024, a fellow bus driver tragically died of a sudden cardiac arrest in the heart of Bristol. That moment shook me deeply. It highlighted a harsh reality: without accessible defibrillators and CPR knowledge, lives are being lost.
That’s when I knew I had to act.
Introduction From Carlos
Carlos Santos Shares His Defib Mission on BBC Points West
We were incredibly proud to see our friend Carlos Santos – a Bristol bus driver and passionate community advocate – featured on BBC Points West and the BBC News website this week, sharing the story behind a new defibrillator installation at Broad Quay in the heart of Bristol.
Carlos was moved to act after the tragic death of his friend and colleague, Richard Dewdney, who suffered a cardiac arrest at Broad Quay in December 2024 while waiting for his next shift. Despite the best efforts of critical care responders, Richard sadly passed away – and it was later discovered that no defibrillators were available nearby at the time.
Determined to prevent others from facing the same fate, Carlos and fellow drivers raised funds for a public defibrillator at the exact spot where Richard collapsed. First West of England kindly covered the remaining cost, and the unit – supplied by Defibs4Bristol through one of the final government-funded cabinets secured by Simon Brookes – was installed outside Turtle Bay, complete with a plaque in Richard’s memory. The defibrillator was accessed within just 12 hours of installation, when a nearby medical emergency prompted a member of the public to retrieve it.
In the BBC Points West interview, Carlos is joined by a man who had suffered a cardiac arrest near the site sometime after the installation, and whose life was saved thanks to bystanders stepping in to perform CPR and use the defibrillator. Hearing him share his experience alongside Carlos made for a powerful moment – living proof of the importance of public access defibs.
You can watch the full BBC Points West segment and see Carlos in action here:
Carlos also gives a demonstration of how to perform CPR and use the defibrillator, helping viewers understand just how simple and vital these actions can be. He also takes time in the segment to acknowledge Simon Brookes and Defibs4Bristol for helping bring the project to life.
Carlos, whose wife and son are also First Bus drivers in Bristol, is so passionate about helping to save lives in the city that earlier this year he set up BristolResus4All a not-for-profit organisation established to fundraise for more defibrillators and ensure they’re properly maintained and accessible across Bristol.
Carlos has also introduced us to other potential sites and continues to play a major role in Bristol’s expanding life-saving network. He’s a valued friend of Defibs4Bristol and someone we’re proud to stand beside.
To read more, see the BBC News article, where Carlos once again kindly references his work with Defibs4Bristol:
Carlos – thank you for your tireless efforts, your compassion, and your ability to turn tragedy into real, lasting impact for the people of Bristol.
My Community Mission
This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of having public access defibrillators, and the vital role that community guardians play in ensuring they are always ready for the next rescue.👏
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You can’t prevent a cardiac arrest but you can prepare for one. ❤
#CommunitySupport #savelives #defibrillatorssavelives #community #defibrillator #DefibAwareness #AED #truestory
BristolResus4All - Official Collaboration Announcement
Defib Legacy - In Memory Of Richard Dewdney
Written On: 14th July 2025
💛 In Loving Memory of Richard Dewdney 💛
Last Friday, we had the honour of unveiling a public access defibrillator in memory of our dear friend and colleague, Richard Dewdney, who tragically passed away from a sudden cardiac arrest just before Christmas.
The defibrillator was unveiled outside Turtle Bay on Broad Quay, by myself, alongside Richard’s wife and son. It was a truly emotional and powerful moment, reflecting just how deeply Richard is missed by all who knew him.
This defibrillator now stands as a life-saving legacy in Richard’s name — a symbol of love, community, and hope that will serve the public for years to come.
A heartfelt thank you to First West of England and Richard Chinnock for their incredible support in making this possible. And thank you to everyone who contributed through donations, time, and kindness.
Rest easy, Richard. You are loved, missed, and never forgotten. 💛
#InMemoryOfRichard #DefibForRichard #BristolResus4All #SavingLives #CommunityHeart #GoneButNeverForgotten #FirstBus
What We Do
1. Fundraising & Awareness
We raise vital funds for life-saving equipment through local partnerships, community events, and public outreach. Every donation makes a real difference.
2. Equipment Where It’s Needed Most
We work with councils, housing associations, and businesses to install and maintain defibrillators and bleed control kits in key areas across Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
3. CPR & Defibrillator Training for our communities
Many people feel unsure about giving CPR or using a defibrillator. Our hands-on, supportive sessions help build real confidence and save lives. We’re currently fundraising to launch regular community centre training sessions using our own equipment.
The Problem: Forgotten Defibrillators
Too often, we find defibrillators installed with good intentions but later forgotten or left unmaintained. Some are marked unavailable on The Circuit (the national defibrillator network) because no one knows how to update them or check for expired pads and batteries.
Others are locked behind electronic keypads with dead batteries, making them inaccessible in an emergency.
A defibrillator only saves lives if it works and shows as emergency ready.
This is why our mission is so critical.
Training Certificates We Provide
What We’ve Achieved So Far
✅ 15 Defibrillators Restored to Emergency-Ready Condition
In Keynsham, Longwell Green, Cadbury Heath, Hanham, and Kingswood, we replaced expired parts, updated their status on The Circuit, and ensured they’re ready to save lives.
✅ Memorial Defibrillator for a First Bus Colleague
Following the death of a fellow bus driver, we supported colleagues in fundraising for a defibrillator. First West of England funded the remainder, and the device was installed outside Turtle Bay on Broad Quay.
✅ Bleed Control Kit at Willsbridge Mill, Carbase etc in Partnering with Avon & Somerset bleed kit partnership, we installed a bleed control kit alongside a defibrillator we helped bring back into service.
✅ Community Training Events
I regularly volunteer to deliver CPR and defib training in schools and communities. With more funding, we aim to buy more equipment to deliver bigger sessions for more people.
Qualifications & Skills Achieved So Far
Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) - Official Resus Ready Certificate
Qualification: Basic Life Support Instructor (BLSi) Course - Carlos Santos
Written On: 11th June 2025
🩺 Proud to Share a Milestone! 🩺
I’ve successfully completed the Basic Life Support Instructor Course with Resuscitation Council UK.
This qualification means I’m now able to teach CPR and BLS — giving more people the confidence and skills to act in a life-threatening emergency.
Whether it’s a cardiac arrest at home, work, or out in the community — knowing what to do truly makes all the difference. 💥
I’m committed to sharing these life-saving skills through BristolResus4All and continuing to build a community where everyone is empowered to help.
Let’s turn bystanders into lifesavers. 💓
Resuscitation Council UK
#resuscounciluk #blsinstructor #cprtraining #bristolresus4all #CPRSavesLives #BasicLifeSupport #LifeSavingSkills #BeTheDifference #FirstAidMatters #instructorlife
Resuscitation Council UK - Official Resus Ready Certificate - Carlos Santos
Our Partnerships
We’re Working Hard To
How You Can Help
Press Centre - Good News Post Stories
Headline: "BristolResus4All: A Local Lifesaving Mission Born from Tragedy and Hope"
Good News Post Story
Date Published: 4th June 2025
Click the link below to view the whole article!