Hyperbarics and diving science pioneer Karl Huggins was presented the California Scuba Service Award on June 21, 2008 at the Casino Party Benefit held in conjunction with SCUBA Show 2008 at the Long Beach Convention Center.
Karl Huggins has been diving since 1977 and a NAUI Instructor since 1980. He is noted for his work in decompression theory and models, which resulted in the Michigan Sea Grant (HUGI) dive tables. One of his most significant contributions to the diving community is as co-inventor of the EDGE dive computer, one of the first commercially viable dive computers. Karl is the recipient of the 1990 Leonard Greenstone Diving Safety Award and the DAN/Rolex Diver of the year for 1993.
Since 1992 Karl has served at the USC Wrigley Science Center on Catalina Island as Program Director of the Catalina Hyperbaric Center. Under his direction and the direction of his predecessors, this facility has become one of the highest regarded hyperbaric chambers in the world and a leader in education of hyperbaric medical specialists.
The California Scuba Service Award recognizes Karl Huggins for maintaining the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber as a vital safety net for Southern California scuba divers on a 24 hour, 7 day a week, 365 days a year basis and doing it with class, cleanliness, and professionalism that is second to none.
The prestigious California Scuba Service Award was instituted by Saint Brendan Corporation (parent company of California Diving News and the SCUBA Show) to recognize those who have made positive long-term contribution to the California diving community.
