Crossword Genius

Counts on safe parts to dive by the sound of it (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

depends

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'counts' is the definition.

'safe parts to dive by the sound of it' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'parts' could be 'ends' (end is a kind of part) and 'ends' is present in the answer.
'it' could be 'e' ('e' can mean 'electronic' which is similar to 'IT') and 'e' is found within the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'on' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for depends that I've seen before include "Relies or hangs on" , "Relies for support" , "Counts (on)" , "Is contingent upon" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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