Forum:Priority for New players...!?

(1). A few days ago I dueled my friend. On one of my turns I summoned the "Snipe Hunter". My friend responded with "Compulsory Evacuation Device". I tried to explain to him that I can use priority to ensure that my monster's effect activates in chain link one. He insists that the effect cant be activated because my monster is sent back to my hand before "I have a chance to role the dice!?"....yea... -Will someone, without showing bias please explain how priority works in this situation?

(2). The next day after that my friend still has yet to agree with me, We dueled again. On one of his turn he summoned "Dragunity Arma Lavitan"(pls excuse my spelling). He proceeds to activate the effect to have a dragunity(alkys) equipped to to his monster. I chained "Torrential Tribute". He calls priority...? He says that sense its his turn his effect "goes though" or is resolved....AGAIN, I try to expalin to him the how priority works!! He goes on to argue that it is a similar situation to the day before[read question(1)]. And sense my effect resolved so will his..... -Ok, please explain what happens here.

Thank You, yamiAkeem