What start options are allowed in para swimming?

Question

Accepted Answer

Under the World Para Swimming Rules (Rules 11.1 and 11.3), the normal dive or in-water start applies, with these options:

Dive-start events (freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly, IM starting with butterfly)

Swimmers with a vision impairment may orientate themselves on the long whistle before "take your marks".
Swimmers with balance problems may be steadied on the block by one support staff member (holding hips, hand or arm), but not held beyond vertical, and no momentum may be given.
With one or no fully functional leg, you may have a hand or part of the arm at the front of the block instead of a foot.
You may be permitted to start beside the block, sitting on the block, or in the water (one hand in contact with the starting place until the signal; no standing on the gutter or bottom).
S/SB/SM1-3 swimmers starting in the water may have their feet or lower limbs held to the wall by support staff until the signal.
A swimmer who can't grip in a water start may use support staff or an approved starting device, with some part of the body touching the wall until the signal.
One layer of towel may be placed on the block to prevent abrasion.

Backstroke starts

If you can't hold both grips, you may hold with one hand; if you can't hold either, you may hold the end of the pool; if you can't do that, support staff or an approved starting device may help.

In every case, giving momentum at the start is not allowed. Some options depend on the codes of exception on your classification record (for example "1" one-hand start, "E" unable to grip, "Y" starting device, "A" assistance).