AdventureSmart WA: Authorities launch new campaign to keep thrillseekers safe following spike in rescues

Authorities are pleading with outdoor adventurers to take greater care, launching a safety campaign to keep West Australians safe this spring after a spike in rescues. AdventureSmart WA, a nation-first website and awareness initiative, officially launches on Sunday, bringing together expert advice from more than a dozen organisations into one easy-to-use hub for outdoor enthusiasts. Developed by Outdoors WA and backed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, WA Police, State Emergency Services, Surf Life Saving WA and St John, the campaign aims to curb a worrying trend. Outdoor rescues in WA have jumped 16 per cent since 2020, with spring accounting for the bulk of this figure. In 2024 alone, 142 incidents were logged across WA’s parks – and 29 per cent happened in the Perth metro area. Outdoors WA executive officer Neil Le Febvre revealed the main culprits were hikers, walkers and swimmers. “We developed a simple strap line which is ‘plan it, pack it, do it’,” he said. “That is what we’re going to be advertising to try and get into the psyche of Aussies as they head out into the great outdoors.” The website offers customisable checklists, weather and tide info, and direct links to emergency service resources. Whether hiking Bluff Knoll, fishing off the rocks, or just taking a weekend drive off-grid, the message is clear — be prepared. James Armstrong, WA Police acting senior sergeant in charge of the emergency operations unit, said he hoped the website could reinforce the importance of timeliness when adventurers go missing. “For us, time is critical,” he said. “It can take a couple of days before people realise their loved ones are missing... by the time we get notified, we’re already three, four or five days behind.” Acting Sen-Sgt Armstrong also pointed to the high-profile Carolina Wilga case — an international spotlight moment for WA’s rugged terrain and the risks it poses. “This program was conceived a long time before the Carolina Wilga issue,” he said. “But . . . it sort of turned the spotlight on WA. What we don’t want to do is scare people off. We just want them to explore in a safe way and go home in one piece.” The campaign hopes to relieve pressure on frontline services given around 60 per cent of rescues involve multiple agencies. Department of Fire and Emergency Services chief superintendent of metro north operations, Grant Pipe, said, although they are getting paid to rescue out-of-luck adventurers, the department would love to see their resources spent elsewhere. “I hope (AdventureSmart WA) provides significant change,” Mr Pipe said. “It is an all round 24/7, 365 day a year (job) but that’s what we get paid to do, to go out there and support our community in their time of need. “But you know it does tie up a significant amount of resources, that of our volunteers particularly, and you know if we can reduce that by people not having a bad day because it can turn out to be the worst day of their life.” Mr Le Febvre hopes the campaign’s slogan triggers a “long-term cultural shift” – similar to that of slip, slop, slap. So before lacing up the hiking boots, loading the 4WD or waxing the surfboard, remember: Plan it. Pack it. Do it.