CMAS Technical Rules on Benzodiazepines and PDE5 Inhibitors - Version 2024/01

Oct 2, 2026

Uploaded by aboduw

CMAS Technical Rules on Benzodiazepines and PDE5 inhibitors define how the controls are conducted to protect divers’ health, physical integrity, and competition safety. The rules prohibit benzodiazepines and PDE5 inhibitors in-competition from 72 hours before an event through the end of the sample collection process. They specify roles such as the Benzodiazepines & PDE5 inhibitors Control Officer, notification procedures, reporting time limits, session integrity requirements, and diver rights and responsibilities from notification through results reporting to the CMAS Medical Director.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Prohibited substances and purpose

Article 1—Testing

Control officer appointment and requirements

In-competition prohibition definition

Control station and location

Article 2—Notification of divers

Means of notification and obligations

Time limits and permissible delays

Article 3—Sample collection session

Integrity, privacy, and identity safeguards

Diver information and departure approval

Article 4—Rights and responsibilities

Diver rights during control

Diver responsibilities during control

CMAS TECHNICAL RULES ON BENZODIAZEPINES AND PDE5 INHIBITORS Version 2024/01 CMAS TECHNICAL RULES ON BENZODIAZEPINES AND PDE5 INHIBITORS (PDE5 INHIBITORS) . Introduction In order to protect each diver’s health and physical integrity and to ensure the safety of the competitions, Benzodiazepines, Phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors (“PDE5 inhibitors”), and other substances with similar biological effect(s)— hereinafter all referred to as the“Substances” are prohibited in-competition under the CMAS Medical Rules as of 1st March 2019. Examples Benzodiazepines include, but are not limited to: alprazolam, bromazepam, brotizolam, chlordiazepoxide, cinolazepam, clobazam, clonazepam, clorazepate, clotiazepam, cloxazolam, delorazepam, diazepam, estazolam, ethyl loflazepate, etizolam, fludiazepam, flumazenil, flunitrazepam, flurazepam, flutazolam, flutoprazepam, haloxazolam, loprazolam, lorazepam, lormetazepam, medazepam, mexazolam, midazolam, nimetazepam, nitrazepam, nordazepam, oxazepam, oxazolam, phenazepam, pinazepam, prazepam, quazepam, remimazolam, temazepam, tetrazepam, tofisopam, and triazolam. Phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors include, but are not limited to: avanafil, tadalafil, sildenafil, and vardenafil. The CMAS Technical Rules on Benzodiazepines & PDE5 inhibitors (“CMAS TR”) have the purpose of describing the general steps of Benzodiazepines & PDE5 inhibitors control from the notification of the diver to the report of the results to the CMAS Medical Director. Departures from the CMAS TR or any other technical rules set forth in the CMAS Regulations does not invalidate the Benzodiazepines & PDE5 inhibitors control or the results of such control, unless it is established by a balance of probability that such departure did cause the positive results. The CMAS Medical Director may delegate some of its tasks or activities under these regulations toa third-party entity. The CMAS TR comes into effect on 1 February 2024. Article 1—Testing Benzodiazepines & PDE5 inhibitors Control Officer a. The CMAS Medical Director or the CMAS President of Sport Committee shall appoint and authorize Benzodiazepines & PDE5 inhibitors Control Officer (“BEPCO”) to conduct Benzodiazepines & PDE5 inhibitors controls. b. Each BEPCO shall have been trained for his/her assigned responsibilities, shall not have a conflict of interest in the outcome of the sample collection, and shall not be a minor. In Competition Prohibition of Benzodiazepines & PDE5 inhibitors c. For the purpose of the In-Competition Prohibition of Benzodiazepines & PDE5 inhibitors , “incompetition” is the period starting 72 hours before the beginning of the event the diver is scheduled to participate through the end of such event and through the end of the Benzodiazepines & PDE5 inhibitors Sample collection process related to such event. Should an athlete test positive, sanctions will be imposed irrespective of when the prohibited substances entered his/her body. Benzodiazepines & PDE5 inhibitors Control Station d. Unless otherwise specified, Benzodiazepines & PDE5 inhibitors control organized before or following an event (i.e. pre-testing and/or post-finish testing) takes place at the same location as the doping control. e. Otherwise, the Benzodiazepines & PDE5 inhibitors control can take place at any suitable place in accordance with these regulations. Article 2—Notification of Divers a. Notification of divers starts when the BEPCO initiates the notification of the selected divers and ends when the diver arrives at the Benzodiazepines & PDE5 inhibitors Control Station or when the diver’s possible violation of the ban on Benzodiazepines & PDE5 inhibitors (or of any of the provisions of these regulations) is brought to the CMAS Medical Director’s attention or CMAS President of Sports Committee. Means of Notification and the Divers’ Obligations b. The diver shall be notified of his selection for a Benzodiazepines & PDE5 inhibitors Control

FAQs

Which substances are prohibited in-competition under these CMAS technical rules?

Benzodiazepines and PDE5 inhibitors (including the listed examples) are prohibited in-competition under the CMAS Medical Rules.

When does the in-competition prohibition start and end?

It starts 72 hours before the beginning of the event the diver is scheduled to participate, and continues through the end of the event and the end of the related sample collection process.

What rights does a diver selected for the control have?

The diver has the right to have a representative and interpreter if available, see valid proof of identity and accreditation of the control officer, ask for additional information, request delays for valid reasons, document concerns, and check that sampling kits are correctly sealed.

Oct 2, 2026

Uploaded by aboduw