Both are fine abroad.

 Some argue that the BSAC system, radically different that pretty much all
other systems of training, has more benefit.

 Some don't agree, and a lively discussion will ensue.

 We'd love to have you here, and welcome, but there's an excellent
UK.Rec.scuba which may have better answers for your proximity.

I personally would go for Padi. As they are a commercial organization they
are more focused on you as a customer. You will always be able to find a
dive centre that will be able to fit your specific diving requirements.

Every dive center in the world is a PADI dive center.

There are good and bad dive centers. Usually the easiest way to tell them
apart is by their class sizes. Anything more than 10 could be a bad sign.

If you live in London I can recommend a good school.

Having taken a NAUI course with an overbearing instructor (would not let me
wear my contacts so I took the entire course blind).  I'm soon to take a
PADI course with another instructor who I seem to get along with well -- he
runs the local dive shop.

I think the best advice is what someone here told me.  Just get your card
and "then" learn to dive.  As another poster here said, however, PADI is
everywhere, so the card may be more universal, although I'm not sure about
that.

A card just lets you get air fills... Go with whatever is most
convenient... After you get the card, *then* you can go about learning
how to actually dive...

BSAC sounds manly.  PADI sounds effeminate.  I'd go with BSAC even
though I'm PADI AOW and SDI Nitrox.

I've trained with several diver training agencies and with other divers
trained by both commercial instructors including BSAC, SAA, PADI, SDI
NAUI & SSI.

If you're in the UK (as am I), don't  forget that either are two other
club based training organisations, the SAA (Sub Aqua Association) and
SSAC (Scottish Sub Aqua Association), all of which offer very similar
courses and qualifications to that of the BSAC (British Sub Aqua
Association).

I was originally BSAC trained (back in 83), but have also completed
technical courses with SDI, TDI, IANTD and PSA and I'm now an SAA member
and club instructor.

In short the  best way of training will be determined by you.

If you want a comprehensive course that won't cost you a lot (just the
annual club membership fee) and that you can do at your own pace, in a
relaxed environment, then the club system is probably the best.  With
the club system you're not paying for instruction, as its members like
me who volunteer their time to instruct, thus you do the course at your
own pace, repeating any drills and theory work as many times as ittakes
for you to fully understand and gain proficiency. You will also gain
from the decades of experience from all the other club members and
instructors who won't have a commercial axe to grind, and often  you can
use club equipment to train.  The disadvantage is that it will take a
lot longer to get the qualification, often a few month, as clubs meet
once or twice a week (lecture & pool sessions), so if you're in a hurry
its not appropriate.  Also, unlike al the commercial agencies, clubs
don't charge for any additional courses such as first aid, rescue,
dry-suit, drift, wreck, etc.

There are BSAC and SAA clubs throughout England and Wales and SSAC in
Scotland.  You can locate local clubs via the respective web-sites
www.saa.org.uk and www.bsac.co.uk.

Commercial training via PADI, SDI, NAUI, SSI etc can also be good and
has the advantage (and possibly disadvantage) of being done over a much
shorter time, often over consecutive days.  The quality is purely
dependent upon the individual instructor rather than the particular
agency.  Personal referral from previous student is thus essential;
however, if you need to take a little longer to complete the course you
will pay for any additional time and everything is and extra. (PADI
sometimes stands for 'Put Another Dollar In').

The qualifications from ALL these organisations are recognised
worldwide.  BSAC, SAA & SSAC are members of CMAS, the worldwide
organisation for sports diving clubs, and, for example, a BSAC 'Sports
Diver' has the same qualification as a SAA 'Club Diver' or PADI Advanced
Open Water (AOW) & Rescue Diver, thus if you train with one agency you
can also do a 'crossover' course to many other agencies.

I've dived in many locations and my BSAC and SAA qualifications have
always been welcomed.  There was only one dive centre that wanted me to
do a PADI course and stared that they don't recognise the BSAC, but that
was purely so they could sell me a course for a few hundred dollars, so
I went elsewhere!

I hope that helps.

Regards,

Tony