PERTH, Australia — The dangers of diving alone had tragic consequences at Canal Rocks on New Year's Eve. A father of three lost his life when he continued to scuba dive after three mates he was with decided to get out of the water. Johannes Nicolaas Van Der Walt, 33, from Canning Vale, and the others were diving around rocks near the boat ramp in the afternoon. They all surfaced after about 30 minutes. Conditions were described as rough at the time. However, while the others stopped diving, Mr Van Der Walt went back under around 4.20pm. When he did not reappear his friends raised the alarm and a search was conducted late into the evening. It resumed at 7am on New Year's Day and his body was found by a surflife saver on a jet ski in about 10m of water, around 10.30am. It was not far from where Mr Van Der Walt was last seen, but on the open side of the rocks. The Commander of the Naturaliste Volunteer Sea Rescue Group Geoff Brierley warned divers not to do it alone. "Do it in pairs. Have a buddy with you." He also said that divers and boat operators should learn about the conditions in the area, as they could be quite dangerous. "Talk to a few locals and understand what happens around the place," he said. "You can feel safe in the bay, but conditions can change dramatically." The Water Police will conduct a coronial inquiry into the circumstances of Mr Van Der Walt's death. by Rob Bennett | 
