It’s no secret that search and rescue organizations around the country often stress the importance of packing the ‘10 essentials‘ before embarking on any adventure into the wilderness – but don’t stop there. It’s important to bring anything that might be needed in the event of an emergency (within reason, of course), as being prepared might end up saving your life or someone else’s.

A recent case involving a missing hiker out of Chaffee County shows how important it is to have the right safety gear, as well as how it’s crucial to be thinking clearly so that the safety gear can be properly used.

According to a report from Chaffee County Search and Rescue North, the team was called out on a mission on September 20 at about 4:30 p.m. related to a hiker that had gone missing on 14,344-foot La Plata Peak.

The person was last seen around noon after separating from the rest of the group to head back down to the trailhead.

With inclement weather in the forecast and fast-approaching, search teams immediately started a boots on the ground effort to find the missing hiker. Drone efforts were also involved and while a helicopter was requested and set to join, bad weather ultimately led to that helicopter calling off involvement.

Eventually, one of the ground teams heard something noteworthy coming from wildland off of the standard route up the peak – a whistle. A team entered a drainage area to investigate the sound and ended up finding the missing hiker about 30 minutes after the search in that area started. By 1 a.m., all teams and the rescue subject were out of the field.

“The subject’s continuous whistle blowing helped bring a safe ending to a potentially serious situation,” read a report on the matter.

This case goes to show how an emergency whistle – five of which can be purchased for a total of $5.99 on Amazon – is a simple, but effective piece of gear that everyone entering the backcountry should bring along.

Remember, it’s better to have something and not need it than to need something and not have it.