Keeping Bondage Safe

Keeping Bondage Safe
 

Thinking of getting involved in Bondage Play? It's not dangerous as long as you follow these simple rules.

Many people regard bondage as safe when conducted between sober, trusted partners who are fully aware of the risks involved and the precautions necessary to ensure safety. Partners who are in committed relationships may also have a greater basis for trusting each other. Performing these acts in a supervised location, such as a bondage dungeon, or with a group of close trusted friends may also increase safety.

There is a subculture of people who seek out others interested in bondage and pursue such activities with people who they do not know well. This subculture has given rise to the safe, sane and consensual credo.

Bondage Safety precautions

• During any bondage session, use a "safe word", or some clear way for the subject to indicate a genuine distress and a wish to abort immediately.
• Don’t ever leave a bound person alone during any bondage session.
• Avoiding positions or bondage restraints that may induce postural asphyxia. This condition of postural asphyxia is of most concern and can have a rapid onset.
• During any bondage session, ensure that the subject changes positions at least once an hour (to avoid any circulation problems).
• Always make sure that the subject can be released quickly in an emergency if one should arise.
• Avoiding bondage restraints that impair breathing. (Gags or hoods, which block the mouth, can become asphyxial hazards if the subject vomits or the nose becomes otherwise blocked.)
• You must remain sober; alcohol and drugs should be avoided at all times during any bondage session. One very simple bondage safety measure is to ask the submissive partner every so often if he or she is all right. Another important consideration is to check body parts like hands and feet for numbness or coldness, which can happen if nerves have been pinched or blood circulation has been blocked. Another is to check for skin discoloration. If the skin does not get enough oxygen it turns bluish. If blood can get in, but can't get out because one of the veins has been blocked, that part of the body usually turns purple.

A “safe word” is a word or term, which both parties will agree on before the bondage session commences. The submissive person can use this word if he or she feels that the Master or Mistress has gone beyond their limit(s). Once the submissive person has spoken the pre-agreed “safe word” (or has given the sign) then the dominant person must refrain from what they are doing immediately. If during any bondage session the subject has been gagged or can otherwise not verbally communicate, a different form of the “safe word” is needed. For instance, they may hum a simple tune, or opening and closing one or both hands repeatedly, or releasing an object held in one hand (such as a rubber ball).

Some simple preparations may also be helpful

• Food is important. It happens sometimes that a person (especially those on diets) can faint during a long bondage session. Having a regular meal beforehand is recommended; being fed small snacks during play may also help avoid fainting and as always drink plenty of water to keep hydrated.
• Cutting tools. To have a pair of scissors handy is recommended (useful for safely cutting rope and tape off skin). If you need to cut bondage tape or rope you can do so quickly, without having to look for them.
• Keyed-alike padlocks, if chains are being used.

It should be noted that scenes depicted in bondage photographs and videos are chosen for their visual appeal and fantasy value. In most cases they cannot be "acted out" with good results.

Self-bondage carries a much higher risk, particularly because it violates the first principle of bondage safety: to never leave a bound person alone. Without someone to release them in the event of an emergency or medical crisis, self-bondage can be dangerous and quickly turn deadly.

Now, whilst this all sounds very negative and maybe a bit over cautious – the fact remains that over 99% of all bondage activities in the world run smoothly without any injuries or problems. As with most things in life always use common sense. If something doesn’t feel right – then don’t do it.

Before we round off this safety guide there is one more thing we would like to share with you. This will be particularly interesting for you if you are a beginner and if you plan on playing the submissive role in a bondage relationship. Most submissives are very cautious and maybe even a little scared before entering a bondage relationship, which is totally understandable. After all … you are about to ‘submit’ yourself to someone. We can relieve you of some of those fears, because you are actually the one who is or will be in control if the above simple rules are followed! Most people who enjoy ‘powerful’ positions in their business careers end up playing the submissive role in a bondage relationship, and visa versa.  The majority of people who live a normal working life end up playing the dominant role. Why, you wonder. Well, Bondage is all about being able to explore ‘the other side’. It’s the side that we don’t feel comfortable with showing in our day-to-day lives.

So contrary to popular belief –

1) Generally speaking, it is not the powerful people who play the dominant role in a bondage relationship and;

2) It is actually the submissive person who ends up being the one who is usually in control.

Again, why you wonder? Well, it’s the submissive one who sets the limits. If the dominant person goes beyond those limits and therefore breaches the other persons trust, the relationship and trust will be dissolved immediately. It is in fact the submissive one who sets the limits and who is in control. There always has to be a twist at the end – and I guess this is it.

Whichever role you end up playing in you bondage ventures – We hope you will enjoy it.