It WAS an interesting read. I have started my ditch kit as well. I have attached an "unslack pack" to the rear of my inflatable PFD. It's ultralight and attaches to pack straps. I think it is perfect for this application.
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One thing I noted in the story was his dependance on fish for food. That would go a long way in my opinion to surviving. I don't do well without some viddles. I have put 2 small little cleos and a roadrunner in my kit. My intention is to put a small spool of 8lb line in as well. The spool can act just like a fishing reel spool would and allow for decent hand casts. Hold the spool in one hand and toss with the other hand. Probably would work pretty well.

I'd suggest a braid over mono.  Mono degrades and has memory and is much less durable over time.  Personally my behaviour with a ditch kit is something that gets assembled once and unless used goes untouched for years.  By the time I need that fishing line it would likely snap under the weight of bait.

Dave Hadfield has a neat fishing rig that could be used for a ditch kit too.
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"Hence also the inclusion of a pen and a small scratch pad for making patrol maps. Some people might scoff at the idea, but speaking for myself only, it would be a comfort to have."

I went thru the "survival stuff" in the top of my fanny pack, just to see what I'd forgotten to list earlier.  Keeping in mind that some of the stuff is more "hunting" oriented than survival oriented, there is a spare cow call, a spare broadhead, and a small ziplock of bits and pieces of flagging tape I've cleaned out of the woods (I hate that people don't pull thier damn flagging down - most of its not even from blood trailing, but from marking extremely obvious horse trails, that you couldn't lose your way on if you tried - grrr!) -  I added another 50' of line, 2 AA's for the mini mag  (must have used the ones I though were in there).

Anyway, it occured to me that you might want to include a few yards of flagging tape in your survival kit, as long as you are carrying that pen.  If you are nut hunkering down to await rescue (something I'd probably never do) you could take that pen and write a simple message on the flagging, and leave it to mark your trial if someone is  looking for you - something like - date; your name; "heading Due North" or whatever, to leave a clue - tie the flagging in the most visible or most likely place for it to be found.

I'm not actually anti-snare wire; even though it may not take up much room in a kit, I just think that using that extra space for a matchbook would have more value.  Unless you are truly going into some huge wilderness, food is of relatively little importance.  I recall form sometime in the last few years, a woman being found along a river (in WA or somewhere in the PNW) who survived two weeks without food while awaiting rescue.  Turns out, no one was looking for her, or they were looking miles away - I forget which it was, but she was found accidentally by hikers.

You'd likely have more chance to snare a grouse than a rabbit, but its still pretty unlikely I'd think.  The bent stick for a spring type of snare is probably what I'd likely use (outside of an aldar swamp,  what are the odds of finding that springy sapling just where you need it - probably would have to improvise something) - but how likely is a rabbit going to walk in that spot - unless you are talking deep snow, a snowshoe rabbit will be all over his territory, and not all that likely to come back on that trail for a few days;  the deeper and softer the snow, the more likely they will stick to thier trails, but they will have many many different trails, so you'd need to have many snares set to increase your odds.  I' believe hunting in BWCA was mentioned, which is why I assume Snowshoe rabbit and not Cottontail - better odds of a Cottontail using its run.  If there is no snow on the ground, you won't have a clue where a rabbit may be travelling.  In fall or spring, maybe you could set a snare on a "drumming log" if you locate one and snag a grouse.  I once killed a blue grouse with a thrown stick, they are kinda dumb. 

And before you experiment with those snares, read your hynting and trapping regs to be sure it is legal - I'm pretty sure it would be illegal to snare a rabbit in Colorado, for instance.

Snaring is the main method of taking Bobcat here

Great suggestions for a survival ditch kit. Although I always have survival items, I usually have them in a handy day back for easy access.  I will plan to wear one next trip.  

Since I normally go on October trips, cold and hypothermia are main items to consider.  I wouldn't want to spend much time in the water and then freezing temperatures.  I've always brought a space blanket, but I like the suggestions listed here for the sleeping bag if it fits in the ditch kit.  After recently reading three books on people stuck in cold survival scenarios  it reinforces my obsession for being able to stay warm.  With cold, freezing hands I always bring some hand warmers.  I always have several methods to start a fire; the normal lighter and matches, I always bring parafin fire starters, and finally I bring a flint lantern starter for emergenies.

In addition, I have a signal mirror for signaling airplanes (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links); which would be the most likely way to attact attention if everyone was looking for you.  The mirrow allows you to aim the reflection in the direction of the airplane.

starwatcher