What should you do if you get lost while leading a group of cadets on a hike?

The best approach when you find yourself lost while leading a group of cadets on a hike is to assess your surroundings and plan for safety. This involves taking a moment to calm down and think clearly about your situation. By evaluating your environment, you can identify landmarks, possible routes back to familiar territory, and any available resources for navigation.

Planning for safety means considering the well-being of the group, such as keeping everyone together to avoid further disorientation and ensuring that everyone stays calm. It is also important to establish a plan for signaling for help if necessary. This thoughtful methodology helps to maintain order, reduces panic among the group, and increases the chances of finding the way back effectively and safely.

In contrast, actions like yelling for help or panicking only serve to create confusion and fear within the group, making the situation worse. Running in circles can lead to exhaustion and disorientation, while separating from the group could place everyone in additional danger, as they may not know what to do without a leader. Therefore, the focus should always be on maintaining control and ensuring the group's safety through careful planning and assessment.