Turn Back: Decide When a Trip Is Unsafe
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What you will learn
- 1Set a turnaround time with your grown-up before a trip
- 2Recognize the signs that a trip has become unsafe
- 3Support the adult’s decision to turn back
- 4Explain why turning back is a smart choice, not a failure
- 5Explain why someone at home is told when the plan changes
Mini Lesson
The hardest choice on a trip is often to stop and go back. Everyone wants to reach the lake, the peak or the camp. But the trail will still be there next time. Trouble in the wild can start when a group keeps going after the signs say stop. In this lesson you learn to spot those signs and support the turn-back decision.
🌿 The Wild Way (know when to turn around)
- A TURNAROUND TIME: before the trip, your grown-up sets a time. If you are not at the goal by then, you turn back - no matter how close it is.
- THE SKY CHANGES: dark clouds building, thunder, rising wind or fog rolling in are all reasons to turn back early.
- SOMEONE IS STRUGGLING: if anyone is very tired, hurt, cold or scared, the whole group turns back together.
- RUNNING LOW: when water or daylight is running low, it is time to head back while there is enough left for the return.
- HARDER THAN PLANNED: a trail that is steeper, muddier, washed out or blocked can take much longer than you expected.
- HIGH WATER: a river that is higher or faster than planned means you don’t cross, as you learned in Grade 5 "River Dangers".
Making the decision together
- SPEAK UP: if you notice a warning sign, or feel unwell or scared, tell your grown-up right away.
- THE ADULT DECIDES: your grown-up makes the final call, and everyone supports it without arguing.
- NOT A FAILURE: turning back is a smart, brave choice. Good hikers turn back often.
- TELL SOMEONE: when the plan changes, the adult lets the person at home know the new plan and return time.
Never keep going alone when the group turns back, and never split up to "just see what is ahead". The adult decides, and the whole group goes back together. If someone is hurt or the danger is serious, the adult calls your local emergency number.
Words to know
turnaround time
A time set before a trip: if you are not at the goal by then, you turn back.
e.g. Our turnaround time was noon, so we turned back at the bridge.
warning sign
A clue that something is going wrong or getting unsafe.
e.g. Thunder in the distance was a warning sign.
decision
A choice that someone makes after thinking it through.
e.g. My grown-up made the decision to head back.
return trip
The journey back to where you started.
e.g. We saved enough water for the return trip.
trailhead
The place where a trail starts.
e.g. We were all back at the trailhead before dark.
change of plan
When a group decides to do something different from what it planned.
e.g. We told someone at home about our change of plan.
🧠 Survivor’s Trick: the way back often takes as long as the way out, or longer when you are tired. Before you set off, work out with your grown-up how long the return will take, and count back from sunset to find your turnaround time.
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