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Diving

Synonyms / Other Terms Used

Plunging

Category

Sports, Water Sports, Sporting Activities, Activities, Recreation, Tourism

Message / Function

For notice in general, to signify the activity of diving, and to indicate the location of a diving area

 

Source Description
NZS 8603 Symbol No 30: Diving NZS 8603 Side view of human figure in starting dive posture next to water shown as two wavy lines
Italian Traffic Sign FIGURA II 219 ART. 125: Pool (Piscina) SVI Side view of human figure in starting dive posture next to water shown as three blue wavy lines
Pictogram No 7 Swimming Pool (Piscina) from Portugal GSR Portugal Side view of human figure in starting dive posture next to water shown as three wavy lines
French Traffic Sign ID20c: Swimming Pool (Piscine ou centre aquatique) France IISR Side view of human figure in starting dive posture next to water shown as two wavy lines
Icon No 109540: Diving by Dutchicon (Iconfinder) Dutchicon Side view of human figure in starting dive posture, slanted line below
Pictogram No 61 Swimming Pool (Piscina) from Aragón Aragón Human figur diving into water from edge, water shown as two wavy lines
SIS Pictogram PI SF 008: Diving (Dykning) SIS Side view of human figure diving head first into water shown as two wavy lines, splashes near arms
Pictogram No IS,3: Diving (Australia, National Aquatic and Recreational Signage Style Manual) NARSSM Side view of human figure diving head first into water shown as wavy line
BS 8501 Public Information Symbol No 9017: Diving BS 8501:2002 Side view of human figure diving head first into water shown as two wavy lines
Parks Canada Pictogram 6-4-203: Diving Parks Canada Side view of human figure diving head first into water shown as wavy line
Pictogram: Swimming Pool from an unknown source Unknown Human figur diving into water shown as a wavy line
Hora page 163, CNIS: Pictogram Diving CNIS Side view of human figure diving head first from platform into water, shown as two wavy lines
Abdullah & Hübner page 102, Erco: Pictogram Diving Erco Side view of human figure diving into water, water shown as five wavy lines
Summer Olympics Tokyo 2021: Pictogram Diving O'21 Side view of human figure performing a somersault, water shown as wavy line
Sagamihara Map Symbol: Diving Sagamihara Side view of human figure performing a somersault
Icon No 7092764: Diving by Izwar Muis Izwar Muis Side view of human figure performing somersault, water shown as three wavy lines
Abdullah & Hübner page 82, Summer Olympics Atlanta 1996: Pictogram Diving O'96 Side view of human figure diving into water head first, water shown as short wavy line
Summer Olympics Paris 2024: Pictogram Diving O'24 Side view of diving platform and water, diagonally mirrored image, both separated by diagonal line

Note: Some of the examples shown above were mirrored horizontally to contrast differences.

Discussion

Almost all pictograms found show a side view of human figure diving head first into water. Differences mostly are based on the phase displayed: in several images the first phase of diving is shown by indicating a starting dive posture, while many other pictograms show the moment just before entering the water. Some images show the edge of a pool, and a few also indicate a diving board. As usual the rendering of the water surface is an element exhibiting the individual style of a uniformly designed system.

Several of the pictogram examples shown in the table above are not intended for the message Diving, but for Swimming Pool, which again usually is indicated by the pictograms for the referent Swimming. If a clear differentiation between Swimming, Swimming Pool, and Diving is possible, and there also is a need for separate pictograms, all three should be designed in such a way that confusions are minimized.

All research papers found related to this referent have a focus on the hazard related to diving, and symbols or signs examined are all for the message No Diving. No explicit test data on compre­hensibility of pictograms used to signify the activity of diving is available in our database, but some information concerning compre­hensibility exists for one pictogram: as the Parks Canada pictogram No 6-4-203: Diving displayed above has the status Retired in the corresponding source document, this variant seems not to have reached a compre­hension rate of 60 %.

Recommendations

We suggest to compare all concepts available to identify the best image content. The study design should also include a Comprehension Test to identify possible mis­interpretations. Detailed information about the most frequent responses given in each of the response categories should be provided to correctly judge comprehensibility and improve designs. On such a basis a clear decision concerning a specific recommendation can be reached.

See also

Swimming, Scuba Diving

 

Updated 2024-10-24 by Ch.Brugger