About Us- Specialist First Aid Training for Work & Outdoors
DAC Education is an award-winning first aid training provider based in Suffolk, delivering workplace, outdoor, forestry and pre-hospital emergency care training across East Anglia and the UK. Our instructors have real operational experience in search and rescue, expedition medicine, community first response and frontline emergency care.
Founded during COVID-19 pandemic in 2021
Dave Coyle – Award-Winning Instructor and Expedition Leader
Dave Coyle is the Managing Director of DAC Education Ltd and a celebrated first aid instructor. Known for his energetic and hands-on teaching style, Dave makes learning both practical and engaging.
In 2024, he was named ProTrainings Instructor of the Year for his work in high-risk and outdoor environments. With over 20 years of experience, Dave has served as a global expedition medic, Search & Rescue Manager, Casualty Carer, and Community First Responder. As well as being in the safeguarding and operations of youth development programmes throughout this time. His voluntary service has earned him both the Queen’s Jubilee Medal and the King’s Coronation Medal.
Participants consistently praise his lively and practical sessions. Drawing on stories from real-life emergencies—whether in mountain ranges, jungles, or village communities—Dave brings scenarios to life with relevance and clarity.
His mission goes beyond certification. “What’s important to me is that people leave our courses with the knowledge and the confidence to be that person who steps up,” he says.
With decades of frontline experience and national recognition, Dave is the driving force behind DAC Education’s real-world approach to emergency training.
A Shepherdess with Strategy – Supporting Learning with Real-World Insight
With a flock of her own sheep and a lifetime of hands-on farming, she brings genuine agricultural experience to her work with DAC Education. Her deep understanding of rural life and the realities of lone working allows her to connect meaningfully with learners from similar backgrounds.
Beyond the field, she offers over a decade of leadership in marketing, communications, and project coordination. She’s led high-impact campaigns, protected brand identity, and steered multi-disciplinary teams—blending strategic thinking with practical action.
At DAC Education, her passion lies in supporting learners and celebrating the lived experience of instructors. By doing so, she adds depth, authenticity, and real-world relevance to every course delivered.
Community First Responder and Emergency Care Assistant – Frontline experience meets decades of expertise
Lisa is a highly experienced equestrian professional, a British Horse Society (BHS) Intermediate Instructor, and a dedicated Community First Responder with over three decades of expertise in teaching, animal management, and emergency care. Lisa completed her instructor training at the Naval Riding Centre and went on to work for the Navy as an instructor for three years.
Lisa’s practical experience is complemented by her background as a former college lecturer in Animal Management, where she educated and mentored students preparing for careers in the animal and equine industries.
Lisa has devoted many years to serving her local community as a Community First Responder and as a qualified Emergency Care Assistant, Lisa has extensive real life experience in trauma care and medical emergencies. Her frontline insight underpins her work as a qualified First Aid and Pet First Aid Instructor.
Community First Responder and Emergency Care Assistant – Frontline experience meets decades of expertise
Lisa is a highly experienced equestrian professional, a British Horse Society (BHS) Intermediate Instructor, and a dedicated Community First Responder with over three decades of expertise in teaching, animal management, and emergency care. Lisa completed her instructor training at the Naval Riding Centre and went on to work for the Navy as an instructor for three years.
Lisa’s practical experience is complemented by her background as a former college lecturer in Animal Management, where she educated and mentored students preparing for careers in the animal and equine industries.
Lisa has devoted many years to serving her local community as a Community First Responder and as a qualified Emergency Care Assistant, Lisa has extensive real life experience in trauma care and medical emergencies. Her frontline insight underpins her work as a qualified First Aid and Pet First Aid Instructor.
A Shepherdess with Strategy – Supporting Learning with Real World Insight
With a flock of her own sheep and a lifetime of hands-on farming, she brings genuine agricultural experience to her work with DAC Education. Her deep understanding of rural life and the realities of lone working allows her to connect meaningfully with learners from similar backgrounds.
Beyond the field, she offers over a decade of leadership in marketing, communications and project coordination. She’s led high impact campaigns, protected brand identity and steered multi-disciplinary teams, blending strategic thinking with practical action.
At DAC Education, her passion lies in supporting learners and celebrating the lived experience of instructors. By doing so, she adds depth, authenticity, and real-world relevance to every course delivered.
Alex – Mountain Leader, Astrophysicist & First Aid Instructor
Alex is a qualified Mountain Leader and passionate educator with over seven years of teaching experience. Whether guiding groups through rugged terrain or pointing out constellations under a clear night sky, Alex brings energy, knowledge, and enthusiasm to every session.
With a background in astrophysics and a talent for making complex topics approachable, Alex teaches everything from trigonometry to navigation and first aid. The goal? To ensure each participant leaves both informed and inspired.
As a seasoned Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Supervisor and Assessor, Alex has supported young people on challenging expeditions—across moorlands, international trails, and even tropical jungles. A well-timed sci-fi reference is never far away.
Alex holds a FROS 3 first aid qualification and serves as a Casualty Carer with SuLSAR, playing a vital role in local search and rescue efforts. Always looking to grow, Alex is also training with the local Community First Responder team and working towards the FREC 3 qualification.
When not outdoors or teaching, Alex can usually be found stargazing—or enthusiastically debating the physics of warp drive versus hyperspace.
Alex sadly passed away in November 2025 at the age of 47 . He is greatly missed. He wrote the above snippet of information about himself, we are leaving it here to honour his memory. Rest in peace Alex.
Alex – Mountain Leader, Astrophysicist & First Aid Instructor
Alex is a qualified Mountain Leader and passionate educator with over seven years of teaching experience. Whether guiding groups through rugged terrain or pointing out constellations under a clear night sky, Alex brings energy, knowledge, and enthusiasm to every session.
With a background in astrophysics and a talent for making complex topics approachable, Alex teaches everything from trigonometry to navigation and first aid. The goal? To ensure each participant leaves both informed and inspired.
As a seasoned Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Supervisor and Assessor, Alex has supported young people on challenging expeditions—across moorlands, international trails, and even tropical jungles. A well-timed sci-fi reference is never far away.
Alex holds a FROS 3 first aid qualification and serves as a Casualty Carer with SuLSAR, playing a vital role in local search and rescue efforts. Always looking to grow, Alex is also training with the local Community First Responder team and working towards the FREC 3 qualification.
When not outdoors or teaching, Alex can usually be found stargazing—or enthusiastically debating the physics of warp drive versus hyperspace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is DAC Education?
DAC Education is an award-winning training provider based in Suffolk, specialising in first aid, pre-hospital emergency care, health and safety, safeguarding and outdoor training. We deliver accredited courses throughout East Anglia and across the UK for businesses, organisations and individuals.
Why does DAC Education place so much emphasis on practical learning?
At DAC Education, we believe people learn best by doing. Rather than relying on lengthy presentations, our courses are built around realistic scenarios, hands-on practice and guided discussion. Learners develop the confidence to assess situations, make decisions and take action under pressure. Our goal isn’t just to help you pass a course—it’s to ensure you’re ready to help when it matters most.
Where does DAC Education provide training?
We are based in Suffolk and regularly deliver training across East Anglia, including Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire. We also travel throughout the UK to deliver training at client premises, schools, workplaces and outdoor venues.
What first aid courses does DAC Education offer?
We deliver a wide range of accredited courses including Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW), First Aid at Work (FAW), Paediatric First Aid, Outdoor First Aid, Forestry First Aid, Sports First Aid, Mental Health First Aid, Immediate Life Support (ILS) and the FREC3 suite of pre-hospital emergency care qualifications.
What makes DAC Education different from other first aid training providers?
Our courses are taught by instructors with real operational experience, including Community First Responders, Search & Rescue personnel, healthcare professionals and experienced outdoor leaders. We focus on realistic scenarios, practical skills and building confidence so learners are prepared for real emergencies, not just assessments.
Who delivers the training?
Our instructors include Search & Rescue personnel, Community First Responders, Emergency Care Assistants, healthcare professionals, expedition leaders and experienced outdoor instructors. Every instructor combines recognised teaching qualifications with real operational experience, ensuring training is practical, engaging and relevant.
Are your qualifications nationally recognised?
Yes. We deliver accredited qualifications that meet the relevant national standards for workplace first aid, outdoor first aid and pre-hospital emergency care. The qualification awarded depends on the course you complete and the awarding organisation.
Do you provide training at our workplace?
Yes. Most of our courses can be delivered at your workplace, school, organisation or outdoor venue anywhere in the UK. We also run open courses at our Suffolk training centre.
Do you only provide workplace first aid training?
No. While workplace first aid is a large part of what we do, we also specialise in outdoor first aid, forestry, agriculture, sports, event medical training and pre-hospital emergency care for responders and healthcare professionals.
Why do your courses use realistic scenarios?
People remember what they experience. We use realistic scenarios, casualty simulations and practical exercises to develop confidence, decision-making and teamwork. This helps learners retain their skills long after the course has finished.
Do you offer Outdoor First Aid and Forestry First Aid?
Yes. Outdoor environments present unique challenges that are not covered in standard workplace first aid courses. We deliver specialist Outdoor First Aid and Forestry First Aid courses designed for instructors, expedition leaders, forestry workers, countryside staff and outdoor professionals.
Can individuals book onto your courses?
Absolutely. We offer scheduled open courses throughout the year that individuals and small businesses can join, as well as private courses for organisations.
Do you provide FREC3 and other pre-hospital qualifications?
Yes. DAC Education delivers First Response Emergency Care (FREC3) and other specialist pre-hospital emergency care qualifications for those working or volunteering in emergency response, event medical services and rescue organisations.
Why do organisations choose DAC Education?
Organisations choose DAC Education because we combine nationally recognised qualifications with engaging, scenario-based teaching delivered by experienced operational instructors. Our aim is not simply to help people pass a course, but to ensure they have the confidence to act when it matters most.
Is DAC Education suitable for outdoor organisations and charities?
Yes. We regularly work with outdoor centres, expedition providers, schools, sports clubs, charities, search and rescue organisations and voluntary groups, tailoring training to the environments in which they operate.
How do I choose the right first aid course?
The best course depends on your role, workplace and level of responsibility. Our team is always happy to advise you on the most appropriate course, whether you need workplace first aid, outdoor qualifications, paediatric training or advanced pre-hospital emergency care.