SCUBA certification recognition

[anmbdiver]

So I'm going to finally get around to doing a SCUBA certification course for the first time and wanted to know what people's experiences are. Specifically I'm looking to know how widely certain certifications (eg. SSI, PADI, NAUI, etc.) are accepted around the world. Are any of these accreditations accepted virtually everywhere or rather are some recognized almost nowhere?

I've already read through the poll thread but couldn't discern very well whether virtually any of the top programs are usable anywhere in the world for basic recreational diving. Thanks in advance for people's help figuring this out.

 

[..Sam..]

I'd say for in order or the most well know it is PADI, SSI, NAUI. But all should be recognised around the world and most are pretty similar I think.

I have only done PADI and IANTD course so I'm not an expert on content but you should have no problems with world wide recognition.

Cheers,
Sam