Eastbourne District Scout
First Aid Team

About EDSFAT

Eastbourne District Scout First Aid Team is more commonly known as "EDSFAT" and is a Scout Active Support Unit operating under the administrative guidance of Eastbourne District. EDSFAT is a Scout Active Support Unit whose role and aim is to provide "First-Aid and Medical support to Scouting events" in East and West Sussex and as well as events throughout the UK.

EDSFAT also supports Scouting by:

Helping others improve the safety of young people whilst in their charge.
Training others in basic First Aid by running First Aid Courses.
Promoting the use of High Visibility Garments and First Aid Equipment.

EDSFAT is made up of adult members of the Scout Association, from throughout the UK, who are either Leaders or members of the Scout Active Support Unit. We operate as a Scout Active Support Unit with a manager and steering group. Members have to regularly attend training sessions, these keep the members up to date with the specialist equipment and help them to build on previously gained skills.

To help extend the support we offer to Scouting, Explorer Scouts from the age of 16 may attend our training sessions and selected events. Under 18's are required to be a member of an Explorer Scout Unit and partake in events/training with the Scout Active Support Unit as activities.

The History of EDSFAT

Long long ago...

...In late 1982 a couple of scout leaders from Haywards Heath and Ditchling attended an event in West Sussex to provide simple first aid cover and security cover. In February 1983 those same scout leaders met again in Ditchling and agreed to form a dedicated team of scouters to provide first aid and communications cover for scout events in the area.

The group of scouters became known as "COEX" standing for "Combined Operations and Exercises". This name became sernonermous with a dedicated group of scout leaders that provided high quality and exciting first aid training to the young people of the movement as well as providing a safety net of first aid and long range communications to events enabling the young people to enjoy the adventures of the outdoors, including hikes, competitions, canoe and raft races plus many more events. COEX was originally organised as a West Sussex based team primarily based in the Haywards Heath and Ditchling.

In 1995 COEX was forced to form a district level team. This team had a bi-district name "Brighton Scout Support Team and Eastbourne District Scout Fellowship First Aid Team", which admittedly was a mouthful!! After a few years the Scout Association requested that the team affliated itself to a single district for administrative purposes. It was agreed to link with Eastbourne District and hence the name change to Eastbourne District Scout First Aid Team (EDSFAT)

Over the years the services offered by COEX and EDSFAT have changed very little. We still aim to provide first aid training to the both young members of the Scout Association as well as teaching First Response courses for leaders, proving first aid cover to scout events (both in Eastbourne and further afield in Sussex or nationally). Another aspect that has not changed, except its growth, is that EDSFAT still sell first aid equipment and high visibility garments and equipment at discount prices, primarily to members of the Scout Association but also publically, helping raise the much need funds to enable EDSFAT to remain operational.

One tradition that has been restarted in the last couple of years is the idea of the COEX challenge, now known as NETEX. This is an challenge event for Explorers, Network and Leaders testing both first aid skills as well as traditional scouting skills, including pioneering (with a twist!) and archery. See the dedicated NETEX page for more information about NETEX.

Well let us hope for even more history, watch this space......

The Service Agreement and Constitution

As a Scout Active Support Unit EDSFAT is required to have a Service Agreement, this is complimented by the EDSFAT constitution. At least once a year they are reviewed and possibly amended to ensure that the work that EDSFAT undertakes is up to date and appropriate. The documents can be downloaded using the links below.

The Steering Group

EDSFAT is managed by a Scout Active Support Manager, appointed by the Eastbourne Distict Commissioner, and supported by a steering group. This steering group ensures that the day to day running of EDSFAT is smooth, and that we are able to improve and progress. The steering group meets regularly and when necessary appoints sub-committees to look after various aspects, such as equipment maintenance.
To find out more about the current positions members please click here.

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