Disarming explosives is widely considered one of the most perilous professions on Earth, a fact hammered home by films like The Hurt Locker. Now, imagine performing that same high-stakes task in complete darkness, submerged underwater, and often with barely any protective gear. For Andy Torbet, a Scottish cave explorer and former Army bomb disposal expert, this was simply part of the job description.
A Cavalier Approach to Extreme Danger
Speaking to the People are Deep YouTube channel, the 49-year-old adventurer explained his unorthodox methods. Andy Torbet never wore protective bomb suits while dealing with live explosives, preferring to work in short sleeves and trousers. His reasoning was starkly pragmatic: if the device detonated, a suit wouldn't save him, so he might as well be comfortable.
He combined his explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) skills with advanced cave diving, searching for munitions by feel in pitch-black lakes, rivers, and sewers. The team employed shockingly rudimentary techniques, sometimes relying on 1940s-era methods in the 2000s, involving hand drills, supersaturated saltwater, and manually jamming fuses.
The Moment He Thought 'This Is It'
Surprisingly, Torbet's closest brush with death didn't involve a bomb. It occurred when he became trapped alone in an underwater mine with a critically low air supply. With just ten minutes of gas remaining in tiny cylinders, he faced a terrifying reality. "I genuinely thought, ‘This is it. When the water hits my lungs it’s going to burn like fire,’" he recalled. He attributes this near-fatal incident to complacency, a mistake he vows will never happen again.
Despite the inherent terror of working "underwater, underground, in a claustrophobic crack of rock," Torbet insists his safety record stems from meticulous planning for every conceivable failure. "Paranoia saves lives," he stated. "That’s why I’m still breathing. Complacency will kill you faster than any bomb."
Beyond Bombs: A Life of Extreme Adventure
While he may not dispose of as many explosives today, Andy Torbet is far from retired. A qualified mountaineering instructor, he has first ascents in the UK, Canada, and Pakistan. He is also an accomplished ice climber and skydiver. In a famous 2016 stunt for BBC’s The One Show, he raced a peregrine falcon in a wingsuit, reaching speeds over 240mph and winning. His highest recorded jump took him 28,000 feet above the Arizona desert.
He rejects the label of "adrenaline junkie," instead framing his pursuits as calculated challenges where he manages misunderstood risks. "I love doing things other people won’t because they misunderstand the risk and I know I can make it safe," he explained. For this fearless Scot, turning up every day prepared is the ultimate survival tool.
