Ice Diving

[moneysavr]

Matt,
First, As a ice diver I second you should dive with a buddy and with this sport to me it has a shaky classification because it definitely falls into a confined space with no direct ascent to surface if you move away from the entry point and this leads me to consider it more  towards Cavern / Cave certification aspect and two training dives IMO just don't cut it!  so some questions asked should be rethought as covered material you may of missed? That said a buddy is just a great idea,But that said I second you should be self sufficient no matter when you dive or were you dive so as said doubles,or a slung pony with a environmentally sealed regulator live or in the on position is a no brain-er.

And having your dry suit underwear on early they got damp and made you cold due to loss of insulation properties IMO

Second you mention recently serviced Apex reg Set's and free flow and no need to go over regulators as each diver has a preference but as said your problem will not be free flowing from purge buttons pressing in on seconds,,  its coming most undoubtedly from your first stage unit and leading to creep up in IP causing a free flow in a second stage, reducing your IP may or will help,
Last a great winter read may help you understand your regulators more clearly,Even if you don't plan to work on them your self, But at some time may chose to! and the end of the book the author covers regulators that work and those that just don't as well,,Vance Harlow's

SCUBA REGULATOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

Dive safe,
Brad