Since suspension,
i.e. suspending the subject partly or wholly off the ground, massively
increases the risks, it should not be attempted without the personal
guidance of an experienced practitioner. It hugely increases all the
stresses that can be created by bondage and makes all the problems mentioned
in this article very much more likely to occur.
Positional asphyxia is a particular hazard. This is where unusual stress
is placed upon the muscles involved in breathing and may be caused by
tight chest bondage, for example. The muscles become tired and eventually
unable to operate hence breathing stops. This is the main way that crucifixion
kills so be very careful if breathing is affected by your bondage or
the position into which your partner is forced.
Do not rely on what you see on the net as a guide to what is safe bondage
practice. They are likely to be of experienced bondage models in positions
only held for the few seconds it takes to shoot the picture and are
staged by an entire crew. Much of it is definitely not safe. Also, with
the use of photo-editing software, the impossible can easily be faked.
Always keep a safe tool capable of quickly cutting your strongest rope
to hand, e.g. EMT shears or bandage scissors. If you use chains, you'll
need bolt cutters. If you need them, you are likely to need them quickly.
Monitoring and safe-words
Monitor your sub very carefully. Communication is essential. Check to
see if there is any unwelcome discomfort, whether a knot or rope could
be adjusted for better effect. A knot digging in or a rope chaffing
can adversely affect the whole experience. Eye contact will tell you
volumes. Ask them to tell you if they experience any unpleasant sensations.
Observe breathing and skin temperature.
Make sure you have unambiguous safe-words. A safe-word can be any pre-arranged
signal or word to end or change the pace of the session. This is vital
when "No" or other pleas to stop could be just part of the game. For
example, colours are popular choices, e.g. red = stop immediately, orange
= I'm approaching my limits and green = go on. Safe-words are sacred
and must always be obeyed instantly. Don't even joke about ignoring
them. If you have any doubt that the person tying you will not respect
them, walk away. A good dominant should be aware enough to pre-empt
their use.
The 'double squeeze' technique is a sensible safeguard, i.e. the dom
gives two squeezes of the hand to the sub; if all is OK, the sub returns
them. Failure to respond should set the alarm bells ringing.
It is recommended that you are familiar with basic First Aid and resuscitation.
Falling and fainting
The most obvious hazard to both falling and fainting are impact injuries
through striking the floor or other objects. In order to minimise the
risk of fainting, you should make sure that your sub has eaten fairly
recently, but not too heavily, and does not become dehydrated. Energy
drinks, water and snacks are good to have handy. Alcohol and drugs (legal
or otherwise) should be avoided as they increase the likelihood of accidents.
Be careful with those suffering from low blood pressure as they seem
especially prone to fainting.
Warning signs of impending loss of consciousness include dizziness,
nausea and rise in temperature. If your partner mentions any of these
symptoms, heed the warnings signs and act quickly.
However, bondage carries additional risks in certain cir*****stances
if you tie to fixed or heavy objects. For example, the consequences
of tying piercings in this way and a fall could be very unpleasant -
what could happen to genitals doesn't even bear thinking about. Accidental
hanging is another hazard to watch out for. Ensure that anything you
anchor to is secure and cannot be toppled accidentally.
See also Dislocation and Strangulation. Fainting or a fall can easily
result in these problems, as ropes can be pulled out of position or
result in unexpected stresses.
Tight bondage and hands above the head positions tend to figure in many
fainting incidents. However, suspension is the most likely type of bondage
to cause fainting as it produces extra stresses and is likely to make
breathing difficult.
At the risk of stating the obvious, make sure that any fixing or suspension
points are very secure. For overhead points, you can be reasonably sure
that floor joists are strong enough. However, your fixings should be
of suitable specification and properly mounted. Miss a joist and you
will almost certainly bring the ceiling down. Guaranteed to kill your
passion, if not you or your sub. Wall mounted points will either need
to be screwed into brickwork with Rawplugs or directly into the battens
in a cavity wall. If in doubt, get qualified help.
Fire and emergencies
If the worst happened, how quickly could you get you and your playmate
out of the house? It is all too easy for a candle or cigarette to get
forgotten in the heat of the moment and start a fire. Could you find
your safety scissors/bolt cutters/spare keys in time?
Leaving a sub unattended is just plain irresponsible. Any of the problems
in this section could occur, and with no means of escape, the consequences
could be damaging or lethal.
Medical conditions
Common sense should apply. In my opinion, those with conditions such
as heart, breathing problems, pregnancy, abnormal blood pressure, blackouts
or fits should avoid bondage. Bondage can be very stressful. One should
also be aware of existing or old injuries or anything, which may be
exacerbated.
Ropes burn and splinters
Test ropes on yourself. Pull the rope across your own skin (a soft and
sensitive area) and note how fast it has to travel before it becomes
uncomfortable. Synthetic rope heats up at much slower speeds than natural
fibre.
Some natural fibres can be very harsh and prickly, e.g. sisal. Washing
or boiling the ropes solves this problem. Fabric conditioners or an
oil, such as Mink oil, can be used to soften the ropes further. Stray
fibres can be carefully burnt off with a candle.
Cheap polypropylene ropes often seen in builders merchants and DIY stores
are unsuitable as they can shed minute splinters, especially when they
become old.
Strangulation, choking and breathing difficulties
To minimise the risk of strangulation, never place a rope over the front
of the neck or around the neck. Nooses are definitely out. The only
safe configuration is halter neck style, so any pressure is on the back
of the neck. You should also be aware of ropes, which may slip and end
up around the neck. The risks are multiplied with suspension or if your
sub falls or faints.
A bound submissive cannot remove a gag. It is your responsibility to
avoid choking or other problems, so you need to be observant and not
leave your sub unattended. Never use anything that could be swallowed,
become lodged in the throat or obstruct the airways.
Breathing difficulties can also be caused by constriction, e.g. of the
rib cage. Don't tie too tight. Remember that as you add wraps of rope
or cinch the bindings, the tightness will increase.
In particular, suspension needs to be treated with extreme care as it
can turn normally comfortable ties into crushing constriction. Suspension
was used as a method of torture in the original forms of Shibari. It
can kill. Certain positions can make breathing difficult. The degree
of stress to which the sub is subjected can also increase breathing
rates. Never underestimate the effect of being bound in a fixed position
can have over time.
Circulation
At best, lack of circulation causes 'Pins and needles' and numbness.
At worst, body parts are damaged or even die without a blood supply.
Restricting circulation should be avoided by keeping a little slack
in the ropes. The 'one finger rule' is that you should be able to slip
a finger under the bondage. Keep an eye out for ropes tightening during
play or as you build up the bondage. Insist that your sub should not
to try to be a hero and inform you immediately of any tingling, unpleasant
pain or loss of sensation.
Avoid placing knots on blood vessels, e.g. on inside of wrists. Also,
tie above, not on joints. The thicker the rope and the more turns, the
lower the risk. Anything less that 6mm (1/4") should be avoided
for general use.
Hands usually suffer first. So as not to end your scene prematurely
and for safety, it is a very good idea to do your bondage so that the
hands can be easily released without having to untie everything else.
Temperature is a good indicator. Note how warm your subs hands and feet
are at the start of the scene, if they become noticeably colder, it
is possible that circulation has been restricted. This sounds simple
in theory, but is not so easy to gauge accurately in practice. Another
test is to squeeze a finger or toe and see how quickly the colour returns
to the nail. The slower the return, the worse the circulation.
Nerve damage
Nerve damage can be painless and thus occur without any warning. It
is often permanent. It is usually caused by the rope crushing the nerve
fibres due to tight constriction or pressure on a nerve in a boney area.
The first method of minimising damage is to stick to the 'one finger
rule'. The second is to avoid tying over bony areas and to study the
locations of the main nerves at risk in an anatomy book.
Dislocation
Obviously, physical force should be used with care. Moving a bound sub
around can put unexpected strains on limbs.
Falling creates, probably, the biggest hazard; not only from contact
with the ground, but also where limbs are attached to a static object.
Hoists, pulleys etc. should be used with care, the extra mechanical
'muscle' they provide could easily result in dislocations.
The dom should always be aware of the risk of the sub falling. Having
the arms tied will hamper the sub's balance and also deprive them of
the natural preventive/protective mechanisms in the event of a fall.
Loose or surplus rope can cause a tripping hazard. It is not a bad idea
to attach a safety rope to part of the body harness to a secure overhead
point, especially if the bondage evolves balancing on one leg.
Where not to tie
I make no apology for reiterating that you should never place a rope
across the throat or in a way that it could obstruct circulation or
breathing. Passing the rope over the back of the neck is the only safe
method.
Bindings should not be placed on joints, except the hips. This can lead
to loss of circulation or nerve damage. Take care to place arm or leg
bindings above the bony area of the joint. Leave plenty of slack as
cinching will often tighten the binding more than you expect. Use the
'one finger' rule.
Never tie any part of the body or piercing, which could be pulled off
or otherwise damaged in the event of a fall or fainting, to a fixed
or heavy object.
The basis of this article and other useful bondage related information
can be found at www.esinem.com
Bruce Argue aka ESINEM
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