SCUBA diving courses
There are two main societies that provide a route to start your diving adventure, PADI and BSAC. The initial grades - Open Water (PADI) and Sports Diver (BSAC) both follow the same basic training drills, however there are significant differences between the two organisations. Before embarking on a SCUBA diving course, you should research your options thoroughly. You may also find it much cheaper to book your course while on holiday, since SCUBA diving abroad can be much cheaper.
SCUBA Diving Courses - PADI
PADI is the most internationally reqconised of the two (professsional assocaition of diving instructors and British Sub aqua club.) however it is also viewed (by BSAC mostly) as more of a money making organisation than a diving club. PADI offers easily structered courses that can be comfortably completed in a week and so are targeted towards the fairweather holiday diver who just dives when on vacation. It allows progression up the training ladder by completing criteria set out in modules. This allows someone to take back up from where they left off last holiday.
SCUBA Diving Courses - BSAC
The BSAC approach is more about joing a diving club and enjoying the sport whereas PADI is about working towards Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, Divemaster Course etc.