On Friday, Oct. 2, 2015, acclaimed scuba diver William (Bill) High took his final plunge in the Cayman Islands, just hours prior to his induction into the 2015 International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame (ISDHF).

The commemorative dive officially signifies High’s retirement from the beloved sport following an impressive career that was more than 50 years in the making. In honor of his tremendous contributions and dedication to the diving community, High was one of five international inductees selected to receive the prestigious ISDHF accolade during a special ceremony held in Grand Cayman. Presented annually by the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (CIDOT) since 2000, the ISDHF recognizes the innovative pioneers of the scuba diving industry along with their achievements in exploration, equipment design, education and more.

High was inducted for his many contributions to the field, including developing the standards for scuba cylinder inspection and safety, and leading research in four major underwater habitat projects around the globe. He started the world’s first scuba cylinder inspection company, Professional Scuba Inspectors (now called Professional Cylinder Inspectors), and developed the standards related to pressurized air tanks, including those used by divers and firefighters.

Aside from his contributions to tank safety, High is also the first NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) diving coordinator and the vice president of the Underwater Society of America. High received the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Outstanding Achievement award and is a consultant to NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory.