Scuba Diving

Synonyms / Other Terms Used

Sub-aqua Diving

Category

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

Message / Function

For notice in general and to signify the activity of scuba diving

	Source	Description
	Erco	Side view of upper body of scuba diver, water surface above shown as five wavy lines
	Peru MST	Side view of scuba diver wearing fins, water surface above shown as two wavy lines
	DER	Side view of scuba diver with legs apart, wearing fins, water surface above shown as two wavy lines
	NARSSM	Side view of scuba diver wearing fins, water surface above shown as wavy line
	CNFC	Side view of scuba diver wearing fins, water surface above shown as wavy line
	CNIS	Side view of scuba diver wearing fins, water surface above shown as wavy line
	PC	Side view of scuba diver, water surface above shown as wavy line
	WTO-Portugal	Side view of scuba diver, water surface above shown as wavy line
	HSSS	Side view of scuba diver, bubbles above, water surface shown as wavy line
	NZS 8603	Side view of scuba diver wearing fins, legs apart, line of bubbles above
	EJP	Side view of scuba diver wearing fins, three bubbles above
	Ecuador	Side view of scuba diver wearing fins, four bubbles above
	BTA 1989	Side view of diver, three bubbles above
	U.S. National Park Service	Side view of scuba diver
	Dreyfuss	Side view of scuba diver
	WTO-Chile	Side view of scuba diver
	Fiori	Side view of scuba diver wearing fins, legs apart
	Dutchicon	Side view of scuba diver wearing fins, legs apart

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

Discussion

The set of symbols above indicates that a visual stereotype might exist concerning the message Scuba Diving, as practically all renderings show side views of a scuba diver, but several details vary:

several pictograms show the water surface above, which might be an important element for correct understanding of the message
bubbles possibly could support discrimination from snorkeling
fins are displayed in many renderings
while in some variants the viewer can see just one leg of the diver, other pictograms expose both legs

In our research we discovered that there is only very limited test data available for the referent Scuba Diving:

Fiori (2008) examined a map symbol similar to the pictogram labeled as Fiori in the table above. 75.5 % of the responses in a Comprehension Test were classified as correct, indicating that the message intended was understood well enough according to ISO conventions. Predominant wrong responses were Swimmer. Showing bubbles or the water surface above as in some pictograms of the table above possibly could improve comprehensibility.

Recommendations

We suggest to study more pictograms than tested in the paper available, including all basic concepts shown above. Such a project should also include a Comprehension Test to identify possible misinterpretations and to improve designs. Only on such a basis a clear decision concerning a specific recommendation can be reached.

Tests of pictograms of referent Scuba Diving

Fiori, S. R. (2008): Mapas para o turismo e a interatividade - proposta teórica e prática. Tese de Doutorado - Depto. de Geografia, FFLCH-USP.