Lots of things one might say here - and my team mate Tevis already pointed out the importance of carrying TWO back-up lights in addition to the primary.
Here is my unique contribution. I think you may have made a poor choice descending to the bottom and waiting for a possible team reunion while building up nitrogen loading. What if your team mates did not come back into your view?
From the OP it sounds like the separation occured very early in the dive - depth was not specified, but let's say it was 55 feet. If you were 5 minutes into a dive at 55 feet, nitrogen loading would be negligible and (assuming no boat traffic) you could have a bouyancy issue on ascent due to disorientation and, as long and you continued to exhale fully, all would be well.
But if instead you spent 30 minutes at 70 ft. waiting for a reunion that never happened - what then? The demands on a proper ascent and "safety stop" with no light beyond gauge lights and no visual references - would be somewhat greater.
Jim
Here is my unique contribution. I think you may have made a poor choice descending to the bottom and waiting for a possible team reunion while building up nitrogen loading. What if your team mates did not come back into your view?
From the OP it sounds like the separation occured very early in the dive - depth was not specified, but let's say it was 55 feet. If you were 5 minutes into a dive at 55 feet, nitrogen loading would be negligible and (assuming no boat traffic) you could have a bouyancy issue on ascent due to disorientation and, as long and you continued to exhale fully, all would be well.
But if instead you spent 30 minutes at 70 ft. waiting for a reunion that never happened - what then? The demands on a proper ascent and "safety stop" with no light beyond gauge lights and no visual references - would be somewhat greater.
Jim
