AVSAR encourages you to avoid needing SAR in the first place. 

Experienced mountaineers understand the importance of always carrying "the ten essentials" when traveling in the backcountry.  If you are unaware of what these essentials are, please go to- The Mountaineer's Ten Essentials.

Don't rely on anyone else's opinion about the difficulty of a route - bring your common sense instead.
Don't try a new route alone.
Pay attention to the weather. Set a turn around time and stick to it.
Tell someone responsible where you are going, what time you'll be back,
and who to call if you don't make it back as planned.

The ultimate source of mountain safety comes from your knowledge and experience regarding wilderness survival.  Mountain rescuers often say: knowledge weighs nothing and is the most important thing you take with you in the outdoors.

AVSAR recommends that anyone traveling into the beautiful and enriching, yet rugged, unforgiving, and deadly mountain ranges of the San Luis Valley become as familiar with safe travel habits and mountain survival skills as is necessary to meet their outdoor objectives.  This includes reading texts such as Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills, and by gaining experience within safe, personal boundaries. 

Experienced mentors, educational groups, and professional guides are invaluable sources of knowledge and skills. If you use a 'meet up' group to find hiking or climbing partners, you owe it to yourself and others to say something if you see an unsafe situation developing.

Part of this preparation includes ensuring that you have bought a CORSAR card or added the small search and rescue fee to your fishing or hunting license.  Although SAR teams never charge for their emergency response, paying into the Colorado State Department of Local Affairs Fund, through these fees, helps SAR teams get reimbursed for the costs involved in rescues. 

You can purchase a CORSAR card from AVSAR, Kristi Mountain Sports, or online.