Getting a wetsuit and practicing open water swimming before your race is mandatory. Don't go from the pool and into open water without trying it before race day. My first race I got kicked right in the goggle. Kinda sucked it right in and I had to stop to fix them. This race was just a lot of bumping and swimming onto and being swum onto. I'm getting pretty good at knowing how far to stay behind the feet in front of me so I haven't gotten kicked in the head or face during my two races this year. Good luck with your races.
Bill