Imported post
<font color='#0000FF'>All good points above, lots of pros and cons to consider, first is do you see yourself as a holiday diver or year-round diver? I know, it's hard to say without a frame of reference.
Speaking as a BSAC diver myself, the downside of the BSAC way is that it can take a bit of a long time to get through the basic training, basically because it covers a lot more ground than e.g. Padi OW, and is more appropriate for UK diving.
However, Padi OW will get you diving quicker
BUT with lighter pockets (AIUI about £300 for basic course plus hire of kit, but this varies a lot from place to place), and you'll need to learn abit more to be safe in UK waters. No shortage of places abroad to learn, Padi are everywhere.
WL is spot on with advice on the Try-dives, it'll cost you about £5-£15 depending on the individual club's arrangements, if you're keen and the club are into their training in a big way you could get your BSAC Ocean diver qualification in a couple of months. This way, if you're one of the minority who have unsurmountable obstacles to becoming a diver (e.g. severe ear problems or hang-ups about breathing underwater) you won't have wasted a ton of money.
Which reminds me, check out this link to see if you have any medical contra-indications to diving
UK Sport Diver Medical Self-Certification form
Chee-az and welcome to the boards
Steve