Adventure Smart

01/10/2026

A reminder to all boaters — keep an eye out for divers and their flags when you’re on the water. 🤿

This story from Maritime shares a diver’s experience following a serious incident and is a powerful reminder of why staying alert and giving divers plenty of space matters.

Know what the flags mean, keep a proper lookout and slow down when you see one. A few extra moments of awareness can make all the difference.

Look out. Slow down. Give divers space. 🌊

09/09/2026

As of 1 September 2026, parachute flares are no longer recognised as a mandatory item of safety equipment for recreational vessels.

This marks the end of the three-year transition period following changes to WA’s marine safety equipment requirements.

While parachute flares are no longer mandatory, it’s still important to understand the safety equipment appropriate for your vessel, your activity and the conditions you may encounter.

👉 Make sure you know what safety equipment you need, how to use it and check that everything is in good working order before heading out.

Plan it. Pack it. Do it. Stay Adventure Smart.

07/09/2026

Understanding the weather will help you be better prepared or to change your plans if necessary.

Before heading out and when on the water, it's important to perform the 5 W's of weather safety to decide ‘Weather or not’.

Before going out, make sure you check:

🌊Warnings
🌊Waves
🌊Wind
🌊Water levels or tides
🌊And when on the water, always Watch.

Before you head out, Check Weather or not.
Are there any warnings forecast for your location?
Check BOM;
https://www.bom.gov.au
Check Deckee;
https://deckee.com

03/09/2026

Great to know that these teams train and prepare for every possible eventuallity ... but if you stop and take the time to plan it, pack it before you do it then hopefully you wont need them.

03/09/2026

Safety is the foundation of great outdoor experiences.
The Outdoor Safety Award recognises organisations demonstrating leadership in safety management, strong systems and a genuine culture of keeping people safe outdoors.

From commercial operators to volunteer groups — safety leadership deserves recognition.

Help us celebrate those making safety a priority every day.

Nominations close 4 September.
https://tinyurl.com/4mhpyvym

Sponsored by: GME | Paddy Pallin | ONE PLANET Outdoor | Tourism Western Australia | Outdoors WA - OWA | Adventure Smart | Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport | Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Australia | Iceberg Media

24/08/2026

All vessels operating outside protected waters and more than 400m from shore must carry flares or electronic visual distress signals (EVDS). This applies to registrable and non-registrable vessels.

From 1 September 2026, parachute flares will no longer be accepted as part of the required safety equipment for recreational vessels, only red and orange flares will be.
If you carry a GPS enabled EPIRB, or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) transition to an electronic visual distress signal (EVDS).
More at; https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/marine/recreational-boating/rules-safety-guides/safety-equipment/flares-evds

15/08/2026

We are here at the Community Safety & Preparedness Expo in Mt Barker. Come down and say hi and test your Plan it Pack it Do it knowledge with our chose your own adventure game.

ONLY 1 DAYS TO GO!

The countdown is on! Just 1 day until the Community Safety & Preparedness Expo at Frost Oval, Mt Barker!

📅 Saturday 15 August 2026
⏰ 10am – 4pm
📍 Frost Oval, Mt Barker

Bring the whole family and come along for a great day of learning, connecting and preparing!

10/06/2026

Stories like this are a powerful reminder of just how much work goes into a rescue in regional and remote Western Australia.

When an American visitor suffered serious injuries after a fall in Karijini National Park, it wasn't just one agency that responded. Parks and Wildlife Service Rangers, St John WA and SES volunteers worked together in challenging terrain to carry out a complex rescue that took more than five hours and involved safely extracting the patient 60 metres from the gorge.

A special acknowledgement must also go to the four young hikers who were first on the scene, providing first aid and raising the alarm. Their quick actions played an important role in the successful outcome.

Across Western Australia, search and rescue operations often take place in some of the most remote and difficult-to-access environments in the world. Behind every successful rescue are highly trained professionals and dedicated volunteers who give their time, expertise and energy to help others when they need it most.

The fact that responders were able to reach, stabilise and safely evacuate the injured hiker so quickly in such a challenging location is a testament to the capability, coordination and commitment of Western Australia's search and rescue community.

Congratulations and thank you to everyone involved in this incredible rescue. Western Australia should be proud of the people who stand ready to answer the call when emergencies happen in the outdoors.

07/06/2026

This story from the Pilbara is a powerful reminder of just how quickly things can go wrong in the Western Australian outback and bush.

No matter how experienced you are, how well you know the area, or how confident you are in your survival skills, becoming lost can happen to anyone.

That's why carrying a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) on your person – not in your vehicle, backpack left at camp, or tent – could make all the difference. If you're separated from your gear, a PLB that's with you can be the critical link that helps rescuers find you.

With more Western Australians getting outdoors to hike, 4WD, prospect, camp and explore, we've seen an increase in search and rescue incidents across the state. A few hundred dollars spent on a PLB could be the difference between a successful rescue and a tragedy.

The outdoors should be enjoyed, but it should also be respected. Taking a few minutes to refresh your knowledge, check your gear and plan ahead can have a huge impact when things don't go to plan.

Visit the Adventure Smart WA website for practical safety resources, planning tools and information that could help you prepare for your next adventure. Even if you've spent a lifetime outdoors, a quick refresher could be the difference between being found and not being found.

29/05/2026

This WA Day long weekend is the perfect chance to get outside and celebrate everything that makes Western Australia so special.

As we head into the first official days of winter, there’s still so much to explore—crisp mornings on the trails, wide open beaches, calm waterways, and forests that feel especially alive this time of year.

Time outdoors isn’t just about adventure, it’s about connection—to nature, to each other, and to ourselves. Whether you’re heading out for a big hike, a coastal walk, a paddle, or just a simple picnic in your local park, it all counts.

Just remember: winter conditions can change quickly across WA. So explore, have fun, and make the most of it—but be prepared. Check conditions, pack for the weather, and let someone know your plans.

Stay safe, stay curious, and enjoy everything our incredible state has to offer this WA Day long weekend.