How do you produce 10,000 visors for the NHS?
Warrant Officer Scott ‘Barney’ Barnett has started a campaign to make 10,000 face visors to protect people against COVID-19 infection
After being inspired by his interest in 3D-printing at the air station, the 45-year-old engineer from Mullion, Cornwall, decided to set up his own machine at his home
And with the help of his family, they got to work to produce the face visors.
“I’ve been involved with the innovation hub and the 3D printers at Culdrose since it was set up last year. It was in March that I first came across the design online for a headband which you fasten with elastic and add an acetate visor.”
— Scott
With the campaign having a successful start, Scott got in touch with other fellow 3D printing enthusiasts — Ryan and Suzanne Curnow, Chris Harper and Gary Adlington — and together they formed a small group to increase production.
Scott’s daughter Paige, aged 13, also joined the group and sewed more than 100 fabric masks.
Scott works at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose (RNAS), is on track to produce his 10,000 visors goal that he set himself.
He is just one of the many individuals across the military who are being creative and helping support the NHS with by printing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Working with this small group of similar-minded people, they have now produced more than 7,000 masks with another 3,000 in production.
“I was contacted by a Petty Officer in the Royal Navy who knows a doctor at a local surgery. He asked to see one of our masks and I took one over to the surgery for him. He then asked if he could have 24 and I said he could have them the next day. After that, I was getting messages from organisations across Cornwall asking for masks.”
— Scott
The group have handed out the visors to doctor’s surgeries, pharmacies, care homes and charities across Cornwall.
“We try and support the NHS where we can but we’re also supporting those smaller organisations. The reception has been so rewarding. We’re just doing our small part just to try and help get over this crisis.”
— Scott
The navy engineer has selflessly given up his spare time to help the NHS, and as a result, he has been singled out for praise by the head of the navy, the First Sea Lord — Admiral Tony Radakin.
“I was delighted to hear about what Warrant Officer Barnett has achieved. Collaboration and teamwork are at the heart of the Royal Navy ethos, and to have set up a group in his spare time that has delivered assistance to the local community on this scale is superb. Well done.”
— Admiral Tony Radakin, the First Sea Lord
