A powerful new short film released by BASICS Devon tells the emotional story of cardiac arrest survivor Gillian and the volunteer medics who saved her life.
When Gillian collapsed suddenly at home in rural Devon, help came not from a hospital but from a team of volunteer doctors and nurses racing to her side. Within minutes, a BASICS Devon Immediate Care Doctor arrived bringing advanced, hospital-level emergency treatment straight to her doorstep.
The new film, Every Second Counts: Saving Lives in Rural Devon, follows Gillian’s dramatic journey from collapse to recovery, capturing the critical moments where expert intervention made the difference between life and death.
Life-Saving Care in the Most Remote Corners of Devon
BASICS Devon is a volunteer-run emergency response charity that provides immediate care across some of the county’s most isolated communities. Its medics including doctors, paramedics, and advanced nurse practitioners respond to hundreds of serious incidents every year, from road collisions to cardiac arrests.
In 2024 alone, volunteers attended 283 emergency call-outs, arriving first on scene around 40% of the time often well before an ambulance could reach remote locations. Recent call-outs have included the M5 multi-vehicle crash and a major fire in Plymouth, where BASICS Devon teams treated 13 casualties.
“This film shows the human side of what we do,”
said Dr Simon Scott-Hayward, the volunteer doctor featured in the film.
“Every intervention, every extra pair of skilled hands can mean the difference between life and death.”
Made Possible Through Community Support
The short film was made possible thanks to funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, with production support from Ocean City Media, Dartmoor National Park, and North Dartmoor Search and Rescue.
BASICS Devon receives no government funding and relies entirely on donations and volunteers. Each contribution helps to fund fuel, specialist medical equipment, and vital training to keep responders on the road.
Beyond emergency response, the charity is also launching community education initiatives, including a Community Volunteer Programme and Defibrillator Programme, aimed at improving survival rates and empowering local residents to act in emergencies.
For more information visit www.basics-devon.org.uk
