In the old games I just ran for it and hoped to find the stairs quickly. However, now I take to using Petrify or Foe-Hold orbs, turning off my partners' attacks and running for it. Seeing as how I don't want to evolve from a Charmander, I can never learn Heat Wave, another tactic I used in my last games, but if I feel like fighting I'll turn off my partner Pik the Pikachu's except for Discharge and Thunderbolt, and for myself will just use moves such as Flamethrower and stuff.
(Of course, I've already used Wonder Mail to get Golden Seeds for me and my partner Pokemon, so unless I'm in a later dungeon I don't really need to worry that much =3)
xX