1. A method for congestion relief within an ad-hoc communication system, the method comprising the steps of: determining that congestion exists for data sent from a transmitting node to a first downstream node; sending a message to the first downstream node indicating that the transmitting node is experiencing congestion; and receiving a second message from the first downstream node directing the transmitting node to potentially switch frequencies, causing the transmitting node to route data through a second downstream node, bypassing the first downstream node.