BristolResus4All: A Local Lifesaving Mission Born from Tragedy and Hope

By Community Correspondent

After nearly two decades behind the wheel as a Bristol bus driver and with a background in policing, Carlos Santos saw firsthand how quickly a life-threatening emergency can unfold.

But it was the sudden death of a fellow bus driver from cardiac arrest in late 2024 that propelled him to act.

That’s when BristolResus4All was born—a grassroots, not-for-profit initiative dedicated to ensuring that defibrillators and CPR training are available and accessible to everyone in the community.

“I realised that so many people want to help in an emergency—but they just don’t have the knowledge or tools,” Carlos explains.

Through partnerships with groups like Defibs4Bristol, Great Western Air Ambulance, and Avon & Somerset Police, BristolResus4All has already made a major impact:

• Reactivated 15 previously unavailable defibrillators across Keynsham, Hanham, Kingswood, and beyond.
• Installed defibrillators and bleed kits in public areas including Willsbridge Mill and First Bus depots.
• Launched community CPR training, with hopes to run sessions independently through future fundraising.
• Prevented further tragedies by reclaiming neglected devices and raising public awareness about proper maintenance.

But it hasn’t been without challenges. One defibrillator in Hanham, out of service for 18 months, went unnoticed—until it was too late.

“It’s not enough to just install defibrillators—we must keep them maintained and registered,” Carlos stresses.

BristolResus4All continues to advocate for widespread access to lifesaving equipment.

The group recently met with a local housing association, which is now exploring installing defibrillators in all 50 of their Independent Living Schemes across South Gloucestershire—a major step forward for safety.

The ultimate goal? To ensure no one in Bristol is ever more than 3–5 minutes away from a working defibrillator.

BristolResus4All is powered entirely by volunteers and community donations. Every penny raised goes towards equipment, maintenance, and public education—not profit.

To donate or get involved, visit their JustGiving page or contact Carlos directly at BristolResus4All@gmail.com.

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