In 1957, Barbara Allen graduated from the 6th Los Angeles County Underwater Instructors Certification Course, the second woman to do so. She taught at Dive N’ Surf and the Diving Locker. In 1961 Barbara became secretary of the San Diego Underwater Photographic Society. She worked at the Westinghouse Ocean Research Lab as a technician in near shore studies, and demonstrated Mark VI semi-closed circuit mixed-gas rebreathers at Offshore Exploration Conferences. She also worked with the FMC Ocean Engineering Department, using her diving and underwater photography skills in test tanks. In 2009 Barbara was honored by the San Diego Underwater Photographic Society as a diving pioneer. Barbara currently serves as a volunteer with the California Surf Museum, educating people about the ocean environment and aquatic history.