Individual Medley (I M):
The swimmer shall swim the prescribed distance in the following order:
- Butterfly
- Backstroke
- Breaststroke
- Freestyle
Start – The forward start shall be used.
Stroke– The stroke for each one-fourth of the designated distance shall follow the prescribed rules for that stroke.
Turns – Intermediate turns within each stroke shall conform to the turn rules for that stroke. The turns when changing from one stroke to another shall conform to the finish rules for the stroke just competed, and shall be as follows:
Butterfly to Backstroke– The swimmer must touch with both hands simultaneously. Once a legal touch has been made, the swimmer may turn any manner, but the shoulders must be at or past the vertical toward the back when the swimmer leaves the wall.
Backstroke to Breaststroke– The swimmer must touch the wall while on the back. Once a legal touch has been made, the swimmer may turn in any manner but the shoulders must be at or past the vertical toward the breast when the swimmer leaves the wall and the prescribed breaststroke form must be attained prior to the first arm stroke.
Breaststroke to Freestyle– The swimmer must touch with both hands simultaneously. Once a legal touch has been made, the swimmer may turn in any manner.
Finish– The swimmer shall have finished the race when any part of his/her person touches the wall after the prescribed distance.