Take the Extra Minute: Because Rescue Starts with Prevention
We live our lives at warp speed. We jump out of bed, rush through the morning routine and dash out the door, our minds already three meetings ahead. In this constant rush, we often overlook the one minute, that tiny conscious pause, that can make the difference between a secure day and a preventable disaster.
Every year, search and rescue teams across the country answer thousands of calls for help from hikers who lost the trail, climbers caught by weather, drivers stranded in remote areas and families who didn’t make it home on time. Each call matters and every life is worth the effort. But what most people never see are the quiet moments before the rescue, the ones where a single extra minute could have changed the story entirely.
That’s what the #TakeTheExtraMinute campaign is about: reminding everyone who ventures outdoors to pause, think ahead and take small actions that prevent big emergencies.
Why a Minute Matters
Most search and rescue incidents don’t start with recklessness. They begin with small oversights — a forgotten flashlight, a drained phone, a skipped weather check or a plan never shared.
Taking an extra minute means:
- A minute to check the map instead of assuming.
- A minute to tell someone your route.
- A minute to add a layer or pack a light.
- A minute to make sure someone knows when to expect you back.
That one extra minute could mean the difference between an adventure story and a rescue mission. It’s a simple framework that asks you to pause for 60 seconds before you engage in a high-risk or transitional activity in the outdoors. It’s the mental habit of assessing your readiness, reviewing your immediate surroundings and making sure you’re prepared before you step onto the trail or paddle into open water. Think of it as the pilot’s pre-flight checklist, but for every adventure.
The Mission Behind the Message
The #TakeTheExtraMinute series is part of our Preventative Search and Rescue (PSAR) outreach, an effort by search and rescue teams across the country to build a culture of outdoor mindfulness. We’re not here to scare people away from the wilderness. We’re here to help them enjoy it safely.
Through short articles, tips and shareable visuals, the campaign highlights the simple habits that save lives: checking gear, planning routes, staying visible and thinking ahead. Whether it’s a climber, a family trick-or-treating at night or a solo hiker chasing the sunset, we want everyone to feel confident, capable and prepared.
The Power of the Extra Minute
What can you accomplish in just sixty seconds before heading out?
A whole lot. This extra minute isn’t about slowing you down. It’s about reducing the chance you’ll ever need a rescue team.
Examples of Your Extra Minute in Action:
- Before leaving the trailhead (Route and Plan Focus):
- PSAR: Take 60 seconds to double-check the map against the signage, confirm the weather forecast for your turnaround time and make sure your emergency contact knows your exact route. This prevents costly navigation errors and ensures someone knows when to call for help.
- Before crossing a creek or difficult terrain (Safety and Risk Focus):
- PSAR: Consciously check for stable footing, unbuckle the hip belt and chest strap on your pack to allow for easy ditching in fast water and assess the water’s depth and speed before stepping in. This prevents falls, injury or being swept away.
- Before setting up camp for the night (Environmental and Gear Focus):
- PSAR: Quickly identify two potential hazards (e.g., dead branches overhead, proximity to a flash-flood zone, wildlife activity, fire danger, insect infestation), confirm wind direction for your cooking setup and ensure your headlamp/light source is accessible without digging in your pack. This prevents injuries and protects your gear.
- Before starting the final push to a summit (Energy and Essentials Focus):
- PSAR: Take a minute to check your water supply, eat a high-energy snack and put on the next layer of clothing before you feel the need. This proactively manages hydration, fuel and body temperature to stave off exhaustion or hypothermia.
Join the Movement: How to #TakeTheExtraMinute
This campaign is for everyone who loves the outdoors. We want to make PSAR a universal habit, ensuring every trail, mountain and waterway is safer for all.
Here’s how you can join us:
- Commit: Choose one daily activity in your outdoor preparation where you will consistently apply the “Extra Minute” PSAR check this week. Maybe it’s before you step onto the trail or before you launch your kayak or before you commit to a climb.
- Share: Snap a photo of your moment of pause (safely, of course!) or simply share a quick preventative tip on social media.
- Tag: Use the official campaign hashtag #TakeTheExtraMinute and tag your local SAR team or @TalesOfManyThings to share your commitment and inspire fellow adventurers.
Don’t wait until you’re lost or injured to wish you had paused. #TakeTheExtraMinute today.
This campaign isn’t about being paranoid. It’s about being prepared. It’s about recognizing that the small investment of 60 seconds can yield a lifetime of confidence, security and peace of mind in the backcountry.
Every post in this campaign draws on real experience from SAR volunteers, the men and women who’ve seen what happens when plans go wrong and who know how easily those outcomes could have been avoided. Their stories remind us that safety isn’t about luck. It’s about choice.
All SAR responders hope for fewer missions, not because we don’t care, but because it means more people made it home safely.
A Call to Action
Before your next adventure, before you step outside, start the car or head up the trail, take one more minute to…
…look at the weather
…check your gear
…tell someone where you’re going
…charge your phone
…think ahead
That’s all it takes to prevent a rescue and keep the focus on what really matters: coming home safely.
Because prevention is the best rescue there is.
