Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. I have replied to most of them here as there are too many to respond to!!

- Consider a plastic whistle instead of metal
Good point about the metal whistle. It is something to consider even though where I live it rarely gets cold enough to freeze.


- What is your experience with those power gels?
You are correct about them not having protein or vitamins. However they are carb dense and I use them while long distance cycling and hiking and they provide you with that extra boost of energy right when you need it.

As far as freezing, I keep extras here in the deep freezer. The chocolate flavor stays soft whereas the strawberry banana freeze almost (3/4) solid. Once out of the freezer, they soften up in about /12 hour.


- Do you need both a fork and a spoon?
I like to have both, they weigh next to nothing. My partner uses a spork and she likes it.


- Instead of toothpaste and stick deodorant consider baking soda.
For me, I will use baking soda only if there is nothing else available...otherwise I stick with the toothpaste and deodorant! The deodorant is has only about 1/4 capacity left....good enough for a few days.


- Maybe you should consider including copies of important information in your B.O.B.
In my EDC on a MP3 player/file USB drive, I have encrypted (PGP self extracting) scanned copies of birth certifcate, DL, SIN (Canadian version of SSI), credit cards etc. I also have the same encrypted docs emailed to myself on a few different email accounts ie: yahoo, gmail.


- Buy a pair of zip-off/convertible pants.
These are great until you have zippers fail 10 miles into the bush (thats what the safety pins are for). It has happened more then once....


- Toss in a pair of nail clippers.
Already on the keychain.


- You have two fine, but finite fire sources. I would add a metal match.
Great idea.


- In resource rich B.C. you seem limited with your two knives. I would add a pocket saw or a few swedish bowsaw blades with field improvised bowhandles.
I also carry a swiss army knife and small folding knife in my EDC. I was looking at a heavy duty folding garden saw the other day, the only problem is they don't sell spare blades...I like the suggestion of the bowsaw blades though.


- I would leave behind the SAS survival guide book.
That would be blasphemous!! For the small weight gain in carrying this book, I have used it more times then I can remember over the years. An added benefit, some pages can be used for fire starter if need be.


- I would also get a proper tent as good lightweight durable ones, which can withstand much more severe weather than any tarp are available and have the added benefit of keeping insects at bay during the night.
Good points here....have tent but too heavy and bulky to carry on a backpack

- Would you consider adding a bear-pepper-spray to the pack?
In all the years I have spent outdoors here in bear rich BC., I never have had a close enough encounter with a bear to even think about using pepper-spray. You are correct though, I would more then likely find a human who needed a spray more so then a bear.


- Replace the space blanket with a heatsheet
- Perhaps add a poncho for rain, tent, groundcloth, etc.
Everyone is correct, the space blanket is not adequate, time to upgrade.

- No cell phone or contact numbers?
In my EDC


- One of the best tools is cash
In my wallet and EDC. Keep 1 and 2 dollar, quarters etc in a 35 mm film cannister


Add an earpiece for the radio
In my EDC, I always have my MP3 player/file USB flash drive which has swappable headphones.[/b]


- Replace your maglight with an LED headlamp
- A small 2-level AA-powered headlamp might be worthy of consideration as a back-up light.
- I agree with adding the headlamp. Partner has one...I should also have.


- Consider replacing LED-conversion Mini-Mag with a reliable, two-level (low- and high-beam) AA-powered LED flashlight.
Not sure about the maglight,,brand loyality through the years I guess...still something to consider.


- Upgrade to a 'name' multi-tool
It is branded multi-tool ( w/ small saw blade) , I have had it for 2 years now and has done well.


- Moleskin?
Never had a need, good idea even though my feet are very tough...more on this later.


- Notice absence of signal mirror.
Good point...I have one but did not notice it is missing from the backpack.


If it's only a few days, why even bother with deodorant?
Am_Fear_Liath_Mor has the best response: "Its important to keep neat and clean and fresh when bugging out if only for morale."


How long is this bag supposed to support you?
2-3 days maybe 4 max...food would be the issue here. Also the option of bugging out most times should always be the last option.
As a former firefighter / 1st responder I have (hopefully) the right knowledge and intuiton to make the correct decison(s) if and when needed. That being said, we are of the mindset that we stay in-place as long as our personal well-being and security is not compromised.
Our thoughts on bugging out are not to head to the hills at the first sign of trouble, rather our drawn up plans are based on a series of events and phases occuring that would require us to leave our home and re-locate 6 miles across town, or 30 miles, 90 miles and at the extreme 450 miles away.
Taking this into consideration, a BOB is only a small part of the equation and it's previous and current version, this BOB has seen a fair amount of use via camping, long distance hiking etc so we know its limitations.


- The weight of your pack is truly impressive!
Not anymore...once I add all the above suggestions and will probably need a bigger bag:)
Actually the small weight gains should not make that much of difference. I have no trouble carrying the backpack now. I keep the feet blister free, legs and respiratory system in excellent shape by walking 9 miles round trip to work and back minimum 2 times a week carrying my work stuff (laptop, books, lunch etc) in a backpack which can get quite heavy at times. On the weekends, time permitting, there is a fair size and mostly undeveloped local park situated on the edge of steep ravine which is a tough one to hike.
I am not sure of the elevation gain...it is probably close to 250 feet. The route we take is just a bit over a mile and half around. We try and get 3-4 laps in with our BOB's..it gives us a good workout....and beats the treadmills at the gym.