Ask anyone who does search and rescue, and they will tell you that 9 times out of 10, most rescues could have been prevented with just a little bit of pre-planning and preparation.

When you are planning a hike, even a short day hike, preparation is the key to staying safe.

Leave a Detailed Trail Plan With a Family Member or a Friend

One of the best ways you can prevent becoming another statistic, is by telling someone where you’re going to be and when you expect to return home. Should something happen, and you fail to return home at the agreed upon time, that person should immediately call the local search and rescue teams to notify them of where you were hiking.

Your Plan Should look something like this: