Page 10 - Two Knotty Boys Showing You The Ropes

Bondage Safety—Things to Do • Do remove restraints gently, being careful not to cause
• Do make restraints “two fingers loose,” or loose enough rope burns. Lower the arms and legs so blood can flow
that you are able to work one or two fingers between the in. Massage any area that has become numb; if
rope and the body. necessary, apply warmth to restore circulation.

• Do monitor circulation every ten minutes. Every ten Bondage Safety—Things NOT to Do
minutes or so, check for unusual cooling of the skin or • Don’t make any tie too tight, especially around joints
discoloration (usually whitening) on the limb past where (wrists, elbows, knees, ankles) or the neck—anywhere
the rope is tied. Ask your partner if any extremity is that major arteries or veins are near the surface.
going numb or if any binding is too painful.
• Don’t leave someone who’s inescapably tied alone.
• Do insist your partner notify you of symptoms of Circulation problems can get very bad, very quickly—not
circulation loss immediately, such as numbness, to mention what might happen if other medical
tingling, “pins and needles” sensation or undesirable, emergencies occur or if the people you tie struggle to the
distracting pain. point of falling and injuring themselves. Other
emergencies, such as fire, earthquake or “Honey, I’m
• Do multiply the points of tension to spread the home,” could also prove disastrous if they were left alone
effect over a wider area. Don’t limit a tie-down to a with no way to free themselves.
bed, for instance, to attachments at the wrists and
ankles; attach ties to the elbows, knees, shoulders, • Don’t gag your partner unless you provide an alternative
waist and thighs as well. The more widely method for him or her to communicate problems with
distributed the tension of tie is, the more exciting circulation or other emergencies.
and safe that tie will be.
• Don’t attempt a rope suspension without proper training,
• Do make sure you know how to undo your ties before and never bind persons where support of their weight
you put them on your partner. Be prepared to cut difficult relies on a fixture, bolt or construction that has not been
knots or bonds in an emergency. To do this, keep safety designed to bear a load many times their weight.
scissors (also known as EMT shears or bandage scissors)
handy at all times. They’re available at most well-stocked Properly monitored with open communication, rope
pharmacies. bondage can be safely practiced by almost anyone. Keen
and constant awareness of your partner’s physical and
• Do go slow with novices and during first emotional state is more than the key to safety—it’s also the
encounters. Be especially sensitive to your partner’s key to sensuality.
emotional reactions, providing frequent gentle
body contact, spoken encouragement and
reassurances. Watch out for developing panic. Also
understand the critical importance of gaining your
partner’s consent before any level of progressing
physical contact.

2 Two Knotty Boys Showing You the Ropes