REVIEW: Direct Action LYSANDER MED Waist Bag

Everyone carries their own IFAK, but that's only enough for the bare essentials. That's why in a group, a so-called Squad Kit is usually carried, which is an additional expanded IFAK. We took a look at the LYSANDER MED Waist Bag from Direct Action, which was developed as a Squad Kit.

At its core, the LYSANDER MED Waist Bag is a large waist bag. Just not for your smartphone, but designed for medical equipment. The dimensions are approximately 28 x 14 x 14 cm.

Thanks to its well-thought-out and slim design and the thoughtful selection of materials, LYSANDER is also lightweight, weighing just over 370g empty. The main body is made of nylon and only the laser-cut MOLLE/PALS fabric is made of Cordura.

Exterior

The LYSANDER MED Waist Bag is designed very sleek like everything from DIRECT ACTION. Nothing protrudes particularly, or catches the eye. Only the Velcro area with "MED" underneath stands out at first glance.

Above the Velcro area, you will find a zipper. This compartment is intended for gloves.

The MOLLE/PALS slots on the left and right are very inconspicuous. You have four columns with four slots each on each side.

On the flap towards the waist belt, you will find another row of three PALS slots on each side.

The waist belt itself is made of 40 mm wide webbing. With the matching buckle, everything is securely closed. The belt is long enough so that you can sling the LYSANDER MED Waist Bag across your chest.

The back of the bag is simply made of abrasion-resistant Cordura. You will also find a small carrying handle here.

The underside offers you a rubber drawstring that you can of course remove, and a 3 x 4 MOLLE/PALS area. Direct Action recommends attaching their carrier panel here, but of course, you can attach anything that is MOLLE compatible.

You can insert a flexible splint into the drawstring, for example. It holds relatively well.

On the top lid, there is a long zipper. This compartment is intended for the casualty cards.

Also on the lid, there is a compartment for trauma shears. Both small and large shears can fit securely here.

Interior

So far so good. Something similar has already been seen in other medic hip bags. What is really special about the LYSANDER MED Waist Bag is the interior. The entire lid and the entire rounded front are lined with fine velour hook and loop.

This gives you the possibility to customize the interior to your needs. For this purpose, the bag already includes six hook and loop elements (three single loops, one double loop, and two small loops). Ultimately elastic loops in small and large sizes.

On the back, three large loops are securely sewn on a divider.

In the back area of the divider, large, elongated bandages fit perfectly. If this division is not needed, it can be easily closed using a small hook and loop area.

Use

In use, the LYSANDER MED Waist Bag is really very practical. Depending on the situation, specific first aid materials can be easily carried.

Thanks to the hook and loop on the inside, self-sewn inserts or inserts made by other manufacturers can also be used. This allows for the ultimate organization.

Here in the picture we did not follow a specific packing order, but simply stacked various bands and bandages to see how everything fits.

CONCLUSION: The LYSANDER MED Waist Bag is a very successful squad kit. Thanks to its relatively small size, this bag always finds a place on the hip, whether with a plate carrier and belt or without. Thanks to the modular interior, LYSANDER can be perfectly adapted to the situation. Of course, LYSANDER is also suitable for civilian use, as an extended first aid kit in the high mountains or for rescue personnel.

The LYSANDER MED Waist Bag is available directly from DIRECT ACTION starting at 139 Euros in six colors, or from all retailers that carry DIRECT ACTION products.