D.1 General
Competitors may use any stroke to propel themselves through the water. They may also tread water or float. A competitor may stand on the bottom or rest by holding an inanimate object such as a buoy or stationary boat. A competitor may not make use of either the bottom or inanimate objects to gain an advantage.
D.1.1 In Emergency
In an emergency, a competitor should raise an arm overhead and call for assistance. Once official assistance is rendered, the competitor must retire from the competition.
D.2 Wetsuit Use
D.2.0.1 OAT Mod – Swim Safety
The OAT Head Official, TD and/or the duly authorised OAT representative are responsible for taking all necessary measures (shortening, postponing, or canceling the swim) to ensure the safety of all competitors, in consultation with the organisers. Special attention will be paid to water temperature, air temperature, wind, current and waves.
D.2.0.2 OAT Mod – Shortening Course
To ensure the safety of the competitors, the swimming course may be shortened on a sliding scale according to the following table. This also shows the longest stay permitted in water at a given temperature:
| Water temperature | Maximum distance | Maximum stay in water |
| 19.0 Celsius | 3000 – 4000m | 2 hrs. 15 mins |
| 18.0 Celsius | 2000 – 3000m | 1 hr. 40 mins |
| 17.0 Celsius | 1000 – 2000m | 1 hr. 10 mins |
| 16.0 Celsius | 0 – 1000m | 35 mins |
D.2.0.3 OAT Mod – Wetsuits Mandatory
The OAT Head Official may declare wetsuits as mandatory, in which case the limits of time and distance are:
| Water temperature | Maximum distance | Maximum stay in water |
| 16.0 Celsius | 4000m | 2 hrs. 15 mins |
| 15.0 Celsius | 3000m | 1 hr. 40 mins |
| 14.0 Celsius | 2000m | 1 hr. 10 mins |
| 13.0 Celsius | 1000m | 35 mins |
D.2.0.4 OAT Mod – Canceling Swim
At an OAT sanctioned competition the alternative with mandatory wetsuits is always put into practice. At water temperatures lower than 13.0 Celsius the swim shall be cancelled.
D.2.0.5 OAT Mod – Increased Temperature Limits
The use of wetsuits is allowed within the water temperature limits given in accordance with the competition rules. At the discretion of the OAT Head Official, taking into account the weather, wind, air temperature, waves and other conditions, for distances up to 1500m, the upper limit for wetsuit use may be increased to 23.0 Celsius.
D.2.0.6 Wetsuit Use
The use of wetsuits will be determined by the following tables.
a) OAT Mod - Elite athletes in OAT, TC and ITU Events:
| Swim Length | Forbidden above: | Mandatory below: | Maximum stay in water |
| 0 – 1500m | 20 C | 14 C | 30 mins |
| 1501 – 3000m | 23 C | 15 C | 1 hr. 40 mins |
| 3001 – 4000m | 24 C | 16 C | 2 hrs. 15 mins |
b) For Junior and Age Group competitors:
| Swim Length | Forbidden above: | Mandatory below: | Maximum stay in water |
| 0 – 1500m | 22 C | 14 C | 1 hr. 10 mins |
| 1501 – 3000m | 23 C | 15 C | 1 hr. 40 mins |
| 3001 – 4000m | 24 C | 16 C | 2 hrs. 15 mins |
D.2.1 Modifications
If weather conditions dictate, i.e., ambient air temperature, the TC-Medical Committee (MC) may advise the TD to adapt the limits on wetsuit use. A ruling on wetsuit use will be made 24 hours before the start of the race, with the final ruling one-hour before the start, by the TD and will be clearly communicated to the competitors.
D.2.1.1 OAT Mod – OAT Official Modifications
In OAT sanctioned races the OAT Head Official may modify the wetsuit rules as they see fit under the circumstances. In all cases the Official will err on the side of safety.
D.2.2 Second Suit
For non-wetsuit swims, Elite and Junior competitors at national championship events must wear the approved uniform of the province they represent on the outside. If they wear a second suit, it must be worn underneath the official uniform and cannot be removed after the swim.
D.3 Equipment
D.3.1 Legal Equipment
A competitor must wear the swim cap provided by the race organization. If the swim cap is lost unintentionally during the swim section, the competitor will not be penalized. Goggles and nose clips are allowed.
D.3.1.1 OAT Mod – Swim Caps
Where swim caps are not provided or a competitor has medical proof, the competitor may wear their own swim cap.
D.3.2 Illegal Equipment
Athletes must not use:
a) Artificial propulsion devices, (i.e. fins, socks, gloves, paddles, or floatation devices)
b) Wetsuits with thickness exceeding 5mm
c) Wetsuit bottoms only
d) Swimsuits made of material not approved by FINA in non-wetsuit events.
e) A second swim suit, which they remove after the swim in non-wetsuit events.
f) OAT Mod – The OAT Head Official will consider requests, on a case by case basis, for the use of foot or hand coverings during a race.
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