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BEFORE I ever actually started training, I did some reading (I hesitate to call it 'research'), and came to the conclusion that I wanted to go with NAUI, rather than PADI (this was back in the mid-90s) - the buzz on the web, at least what I came across, seemed to suggest that the training was more 'rigorous'. But, for various reasons, I didn't pursue training until 2001. Then, I did so because a friend / work colleague told me he and his son just got certified. He did his certification through a particular shop because it happened to be near his home. I then did my certification through that same shop, because he said he had a good experience. It happened to be a PADI shop - our decision really had nothing to do with the agency affiliation. Because I did OW through that shop, I later did AOW through that shop, then various other courses with them. I liked the staff. When I decided to do DM, I saw no reason to change. Later, since I was a PADI DM, why would I do my IDC with another agency? Only after I became an instructor did I begin to appreciate differences, and similarities, among certifying agencies.I'm curious if any of the new Open Water divers or those considering taking class were swayed to go with a certain shop due to their certifying agency affiliation?