The news of a diver losing his life over the weekend at a popular diving spot in Cirkewwa is sad, especially as it could have been avoided.

It is understood that the Scottish diver went to the P-29 dive site alone and then found himself in difficulty. He most likely got carried away exploring the wreck and went into decompression.

There is a period for every dive in which divers do not need a decompression stop – only a five-minute safety stop. But once a person goes over that limit, then they have to spend time at shallower depths to allow the body to dump nitrogen which would have built up in the bloodstream.

He most likely died as he exhausted his air supply (not oxygen which can kill at depth) and had to surface very quickly. Blood on his regulator seems to confirm the thesis as it could also have indicated lung expansion injuries. The man, a 57-year-old of large build, was only using a 12-litre tank when the swim to the P-29 normally requires a 15- or 20-litre air tank. The man was there to take photographs of the wreck and was said to have been familiar with the site.

Familiar or not, he broke one of the fundamental rules of diving – he dived alone, without a buddy. When diving, one always needs the safety of a buddy. If narcosis takes over (a form of drunkenness caused by nitrogen build-up at depth), then it is only a buddy who can recognise that a diver is acting erratically – or even foolishly.

A buddy will check his air supply against that of the other diver and will make sure that they both have enough air to get back to base, with a safety stop included.

One can get snagged on a rock, or can get entwined in fishing tackle… the possibilities are endless and, without a buddy, one is simply asking for trouble. Any experienced diver knows this. Diving is a fantastic and fun sport, if practised properly. Being underwater is, however, dangerous and it is only through training, experience and safety drills that one can be as safe as possible.

Without a buddy, a buddy check (a thorough examination of diving equipment by another person) is impossible. While diving alone is not illegal, it is not advisable and is regarded as the ultimate no-no in diving circles.

What one needs to understand is that even the dangers of cramp are multiplied tenfold underwater. Getting your equipment snagged on a loop, where you cannot reach it, could be potentially fatal. Ripping a hose, losing one’s regulator… these are all possibilities. If they happen on land, it’s one thing. If they happen underwater, all it takes is 45 seconds to kill. Humans cannot breathe underwater. All sports are dangerous and, as sportsmen and women, we all have the duty to at least, be as safe as we can be. One would not practise the long jump on a busy road – equally, divers should not go diving alone. It is always sad to lose someone from the diving community and this person’s death should at least serve as a wake-up call to other divers. Do not get overconfident, it’s the quickest way to become a statistic.