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This section is
dedicated to the
memory of some
of the pioneers
of the
Los Angeles
County
Underwater
Instructors
Program
as well as those
individuals that
gave so much of
themselves.
They
have forever
left their
eternal
footprint in the
sand for us to
follow. |
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On January 16,
2004, the diving
industry lost
one of the
greatest
pioneer's in the
field of diving
education.
Al Tillman was
long recognized
as a founding
father of
recreational
dive training in
the United
States,
developing the
first public
skin and scuba
diver program
for Los Angeles
County in 1954.
This visionary
program,
co-developed
with Bev Morgan,
arose when Al
brought to the
County's
attention the
need to provide
safe training
for the rapidly
growing numbers
of people
exploring the
field of
recreational
skin and scuba
diving. As a
result, Al was
the driving
force in the
development of
both the worlds
first Public
Training Agency
and Underwater
Instructor
Certification
Course (1UICC),
models upon
which all
training in the
dive industry
would be based.
In 1960, Al and
Neal Hess took
the next step in
evolution of
dive training
when they formed
the National
Association of
Underwater
Instructors
(NAUI). Al
served as
President and
Hess as
Executive
Secretary in
this innovative
attempt to bring
standardized
dive training
practices to a
nation-wide
audience
clamoring for a
safer and more
effective way to
learn to dive.
Diving remained
a passion for Al
throughout the
decades that
followed. With
his teaching,
the publication
of many
cornerstone
diving texts,
and the
development of
numerous other
projects,
including the
creation UNEXSO
in Freeport
Grand Bahamas
Island in 1965,
Al remained a
pioneer.
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On June 23,
2004, the diving
community lost a
very dear
teacher, mentor
and friend.
Paul Meister
influenced
thousands of
divers in the
Southern
California area,
and his presence
will be felt for
generations to
come. He
was a great
human being,
whose essence
was to share his
love of the sea
and his desire
to protect it.
Paul had two
passions.
He loved
introducing kids
to the ocean
scientifically;
teaching them
respect for the
environment and
working together
on ocean
projects.
He was also
involved with
the Junior Frog
Program in the
1960's and the
Golden Fin
Tournament.
His other
passion was
Coastal
Monitoring
(White Point), a
project he
spear-headed and
one that
remained close
to his heart.
The Department
of Parks and
Recreation has
established a
special "Paul
Meister" fund,
for the specific
receipt of
tax-deductible
donations to be
used solely to
expand the
county "SAS"
program as well
as youth skin
diving programs. |
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