[Finless]

Tricky situation. In retrospect, I suspect you now realise that at 30 bar (latest with unknown kit) you should have signalled up and gone whether he followed you or not.

That is one of the major benefits of the BSAC/school learning environment over PADI. With PADI you need to learn 'the ropes' after the basic skills.

I remember the first time I ran out of gas during a dive. I just didn't believe it and couldn't figure it out which was a VERY poor performance on my part. I still think that simulating breathing a cylinder to empty is something that all beginners should do so that you realise what is happening when the breathing starts getting tight. Thos few seconds can make all the difference and they nearly killed me.

Glad to hear you are getting back into it and that experience will stand you in good stead for your diving future.