OHIO
this is in Ohio
GET CERTIFIED!
Go to your local YMCA and sign up for a class
just had to put in the good word for the YMCA....
Being certified by YMCA as an instructor, CMAS Instructor, and PADI as a divemaster,....I can speak from a little exp.
I will suggest the YMCA scuba program to anyone first- I prefer to train as a YMCA instructor because I am not forced to train students from a DVD....
but...
PADI is the most popular- IMO (and more $$$ for less training)
CMAS is popular outside the US- Spain, France...
I no exp of the other programs.
SSI & NAUI have good programs and thier certifications are accepted in the places I have been.
It has been said before that its not really 'who' you get trained with (providing its a popular/ reputable organization)
- its more about how you are trained.
Safety and personal comfort are the most important.
"take only pictures.... leave only bubbles"