For an accident which occurs in the course of a bout and which is properly attested by the delegate of the FIE Medical Committee or by the doctor on duty, the Referee will allow a break in the fight lasting no longer than 10 minutes. This break should be timed from the point when the doctor gives an opinion and be strictly reserved for the treatment of the accident which brought it about. If the doctor considers, before or at the end of the 10-minute break, that the fencer is incapable of continuing the fight, the doctor will decide that the fencer should retire (individual events) and/or be replaced, if possible (team events) (cf. o.44).

During the remainder of the same day, a fencer cannot be allowed a further break unless as a result of a further injury.

Should a fencer demand a break which is deemed by the delegate of the Medical Committee or by the doctor on duty to be unjustified, the Referee will penalise that fencer as specified in Articles t.114, t.117, t.120 Offences and Penalties.

In team events a fencer judged unable to continue the event by the doctor may, nevertheless, on the advice of the same doctor, fight in subsequent matches on the same day.

The Directoire Technique may modify the order of bouts in a pool in order to ensure the efficient running of the competition (cf. o.16).