NATIONAL TECHNICAL OFFICIAL
SWIMMING CODES OF EXCEPTIONS FOR MULTI-CLASS EVENTS
Starts
W
WATER START
Start in the water
F
FEET START
Feet onto the wall
D
DIVE START
Dive from the starting platform, standing or sitting or standing next to
the starting platform
H
HEARING IMPAIRED LIGHT, SIGNAL OR
TOUCH REQUIRED
Has a hearing impairment and therefore requires a light, signal or
touch start (S1-S10 only)
L
HEARING IMPAIRED LIGHT OR SIGNAL
REQUIRED
Has a hearing impairment and therefore requires a light or signal start
(S15 only)
Y
STARTING DEVICE
Swimmer requires a device that shall be approved by the TD/TA when
starting
E
UNABLE TO GRIP FOR BACKSTROKE START
V
VOLUNTEER REQUIRED
A
ASSISTANCE REQUIRED
T
TAPPERS
B
BLACKENED GOGGLES
G
PROTHESIS/GLASS EYES
Z
MEDICAL/LIFEGUARD ALERT
Unable to grip the backstroke grips due to
weak hands and/or wrist
Swimmer allowed a volunteer to provide assistance
Own country’s support staff help required
Vision impaired swimmer may use a tapper
Vision impaired swimmer must wear blacked out goggles
Swimmer has a prosthesis or glass eye
For medication consideration. Swimmers need to be observed. Medical
& lifeguards alerted. Osteogenesis imperfecta also to be identified for
medical alert.
During Swimming
0
Nil
No Exceptions
1
ONE HAND START
In backstroke for full or part arm amp/dysmelia; erb palsy or brachial
plexus; some severe hemis
2
RIGHT HAND TOUCH
Right hand only needs to touch the wall. For those using one arm only,
brachial plexus/erb palsy
3
LEFT HAND TOUCH
4
RIGHT HAND TOUCH WITH
SIMULTANEOUS INTENT TO TOUCH WITH
OTHER
For full or part arm amp/dysmelia or for hemi or those with
contractures in elbow. Right hand must touch the wall at the finish
with the other showing the intent to touch the wall.
5
LEFT HAND TOUCH WITH SIMULTANEOUS
INTENT TO TOUCH WITH OTHER
For full or part arm amp/dysmelia or for hemi or those with
contractures in elbow. Left hand must touch the wall at the finish with
the other showing the intent to touch the wall.
6
SIMULTANEOUS INTENT TO TOUCH
Both hands must show intent to touch the wall at the same time
7
PART OF UPPER BODY MUST TOUCH
For swimmers with no arms, amp/dysmelia/ short arms
8
RIGHT FOOT MUST TURN OUT
Single leg amp/dysmelia, one good leg i.e. polio, hip/knee disability
9
LEFT FOOT MUST TURN OUT
Single leg amp/dysmelia, one good leg i.e. polio, hip/knee disability
10
SHOW INTENT TO KICK
11
LEG DRAG
12
LEG DRAG OR SHOW INTENT TO KICK
14
DROPPED SHOULDER
Shoulder not able to be kept in line with the normal water surface.
*
DROPPED SHOULDER TEST COMPLETED
During classification a dropped shoulder test has been completed
+
DOLPHIN KICK IS ABLE TO BE PERFORMED
Left hand only needs to touch the wall. For those using one arm only,
brachial plexus/erb palsy
Both legs are affected to some degree and may not be able to perform
full kick action but must show intent to perform a kick action
No use of legs or swimmer chooses not to use legs
Refer to 10 & 11 above
Illegal breaststroke kick
This is a reference guide for Technical Officials administering rule exceptions during multi-class events. This is not to be used
as a substitute for the thorough knowledge of SAL Swimmers with Disability or IPC rules.