which to do?

[kensuf]

My vote would be to go for a real cavern (or better yet, cave) course. I did TDI, so I'm not fully aware of the IANTD course standards, but I'd like to imagine they're a bit more thorough than PADI. If so and either is offered, go for the one that'll give you a better education.

I'm not a PADI instructor, but I believe the standards for cavern training are pretty much universal across all of the training agencies. There are many reasons why someone might choose to teach for one agency, or another, and it has nothing to do with being "real".

Find a good instructor, one that frequently dives in caves for recreation, and teaches on a regular basis.

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

PADI doesn't offer a cave course

PADI does in fact have a Full Cave diver course.

And...go to the talent show.

 

[iluvtheocean]

talent show was nice -- grades K-5 and my niece is in 4th. Too many Michael Jackson imitatations though