I am going to drown!

Unlikely.  But that doesn't mean you should do the swim.

Questions:

1. Have you ever swam in open water, and can you before the race?
2. Can you dog paddle, float on your back, or do a different stroke before continuing on.
3. Do you have any history of cardiac events (ok this one is a joke based on another thread... But the panic can be overwhelming in open water).

If you don't do this race, then find another and continue your training.  It is worth it.

Since you asked, No, you should not do it.

Please take the time to train properly for the swim, and then do it

For what its worth, I have trouble swimming too. It is really hard. Good luck.

Now that is a good suggestion.

Assuming you already paid for the race you can probably contact the Race Director and ask to swap.

Good call - After your Du.

1. Get some lessons.
2. Get in the pool 3x a week
3. Get in the open water at least 2x before the swim (unless the next tri is a pool swim).

General swimming advice, breathe out while your face is in the water.  If you have this much trouble you may not be getting enough air.

I know a number of good runners that struggle(d) with the swim. With practice they all improved. They tend to be lean and kind of a "sinker". I don't have that problem, I'm chunky enough to float like a cork and the swim comes easy. If it wasn't for that damn run they stick at the end of every tri I'd be pretty good at this  

Good luck with your training and your Du. Have fun with it.

Me. I still find swimming incredibly frustrating. Especially when the lifeguard point out that I'd be much faster and efficient if I didn't drag my legs. 1500 yards takes me almost an hour, and I'm working too damn hard.

It's much more technical than running or biking and takes even longer to become proficient. So sayeth my coach. My goal this winter is to work with her and fix the major issues with my form.

Dude, I like your 'tude

Wise choice.  You aren't alone.  I did a training group last year and a few people(all very fit) had to opt out because they didn't feel ready for the swim.  It ended up being a good decision because the start was delayed almost an hour due to fog. This meant the slower swimmers were coming around the pier heading to shore as the tide was starting to go out.  It was exhausting. 

Go out and have fun at your duo.  You can enjoy yourself without all the swim stress and get some good experience for your tri. 

This. Sometimes I wonder if my built-in flotation device should be race-illegal.

"The marine environment is inherently unforgiving."

U.S. Navy Special Warfare School, Coronado, California.

Definitely a wise choice to do the duathlon, but train WITHOUT the wetsuit, otherwise it may become a crutch.  I did a triathlon last year and the morning of the race, they announced the water temperature would be too warm for wetsuits (it was low 80s).  One guy said "That's unfair!  I can't swim that far without a wetsuit!" - the Race Director's answer was "Then you really shouldn't be doing the swim at all for safety reasons..."

Point is that if you plan on sticking with it, you will eventually want a wetsuit for "wetsuit-legal" swims, but you also need to be prepared for changes last minute where they may not allow them due to water temperature.

Good advice on not to panic though - there are certainly no restrictions on what kind of stroke to use, but just be careful of breast stroke with a lot of people around you as you end up kicking a lot of people in the face and it's not good etiquette.

The only reason's to train in one are if you either train in really cold water or you need to get used to swimming in it, otherwise wearing one will NOT make you a stronger and better swimmer.

Great advice

Probably a good decision.  I'm only a little bit ahead of you in the swim.  Did my first Tri last weekend.  It was only 300 yds and I felt comfortable enough that I could do it without endangering myself or others.   Ended up on my back twice but finished.  As has been said previously, swimming is so technical.  Little changes can make a big difference.  OWS are way different than the pool for sure.  Get a good coach and keep at it, it'll come.

+1. Don't' be foolish. The swim isn't a 5k you can just walk your way through if it doesn't work out. I did my first tri in May with a .4 mile swim. I began training in the pool in Janury and by May was QUITE capable of swimming the distance. Except for the cold, dark water, mass start, confused splashing of tons of racers, lack of Open Water Swimming experience. Sound scary? Good . . it is. And it is a task that shouldn't be undertaken lightly. I would skip it, and maybe look for a race you have proper time to train for.

I missed this before my previous post. Good choice! I HIGHLY recommend an OWS clinic if you can find one. They aren't so much about swimming as swimming in a triathlon. I took one with Mid-Atlantic Multisport and it was money VERY well spent.