[Minnewaska]

Need to squeeze the primer bulb before attempting to start. Perhaps your hero forgets in the panic and that's why the first several pulls don't work. Or out of gas and needs to switch over to a spare. In our case, our outboard only connects to one tank, so the spare must be poured into the main tank. Time consuming and messy, a two'fer.

 

[Minnewaska]

What are some reasons why the fuel line might break?

Age. UV damage. Dries out.

 

[Minnewaska]

If the engine had been running recently, the primer bulb thing may not be good then. It would likely still be primed. Out of gas or fuel line broke sounds like your best bet.