Hi Rusty,
have you thought about using a "chest rig"? It has some convincing advantages over other means of carrying survival equipment:

1. comfortable to wear with a rucksack
2. you are still able to use your hip belt with good comfort and effectiveness
3. some have large storage pouches
4. the map pocket is always useful
5. in some you can carry waterbottles or messtins so if you need to dump your rucksack (in river or ice crossings for example) you'll have a greater survival chance

They start at about £15 and up to £65.

reinhardt