Technical Rules (only FYI more important info found in the posts below)

1. Rules
Ø The Swimming carnival shall be held under the latest rules of FINA and the Singapore Schools Sports Council, unless otherwise stated.
Ø Attention is drawn to the following rules:

One Start Rule
Any swimmer starting before the starting signal has been given shall be
disqualified. If the starting signal sounds before the disqualification is declared,
the race shall continue and the swimmer or swimmers shall be disqualified upon
the completion of the race. If the disqualification is declared before the starting
signal, the signal shall not be given, but the remaining swimmers shall be called
back, be reminded by the starter of the penalties, and start again.
Butterfly
In the Butterfly stroke, it shall be permissible for a swimmer to be completely
submerged for a distance of not more than 15 metres after the start and after each turn. By that point, the head must have broken the surface. The swimmer must remain on the surface until the next turn or finish.
Freestyle
Some part of the swimmer must break the surface of the water throughout the
race, except it shall be permissible for the swimmers to be completely submerged for a distance of not more than 15 metres after the start and after each turn. By that point, the head must have broken the surface.
Ø The fastest eight (8) swimmers of the heats in each event shall qualify for the
final.
2. Guidelines
a) Taking up Position
Ø Stand behind the lanes assigned to you.
Ø The starter will call to check the names
Ø Acknowledge by raising your hand.
Ø Swimmers who wish to start in the pool may do so with one hand on the side of the pool.
b) Starting Commands
Ø Whistle - on hearing the whistle, swimmers shall get up onto the platform.
Ø Take your Mark - on hearing this command, swimmers shall move forward and take up a position at the edge of the platform.
Ø Horn - on hearing the horn, swimmers shall plunge into the pool and start their swim.
Ø At the finish, swimmers must remain in the pool until the Chief Timekeeper blow the whistle for them to get out.
c) Turning
Ø For Breaststroke and Butterfly events, swimmers must touch the wall "two handed" before they effect a turn. Failure to comply with this rule shall result in disqualification.
d) Finishing
Ø For Breaststroke and Butterfly, the finishing must be two-handed. Timing shall stop only after legal finish is made.
Ø For the 1500m event, the cut-off time shall be 30 minutes. A sound signal will signify the end of the race.