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 have a greater basis for trusting each other. Performing acts in a supervised location, such as a bondage dungeon, or with a group of trusted friends may also increase safety.

There is also 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.

• During any bondage session, use a "safeword", or some clear way for the subject to indicate genuine distress and a wish to abort.
• Don’t ever leave a bound person alone during a bondage session.
• Avoiding positions or bondage restraints which may induce postural asphyxia.
• During any bondage session, making sure that the subject changes positions at least once an hour (to avoid circulation problems).
• Always make sure that the subject can be released quickly in an emergency.
• Avoiding bondage restraints which impair breathing. (Gags or hoods which block the mouth can become asphyxial hazards if the subject vomits or the nose becomes otherwise blocked.)
• Remaining 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 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. Skin that does not get enough oxygen 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 turns purple.

A safeword 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 safeword (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 “safeword” 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. 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.
• 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 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.

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 – common sense is always the best solution. If something doesn’t feel right - 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 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 of course. 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! 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 exploring ‘the other side’. It’s the side which 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 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 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 just another.

Which ever role you end up playing in bondage – We hope you enjoy it.

Back to Sex Toy Guides

Bondara® is a registered trademark and Bondara is the trading name of Nagook Ltd. Copyright 2006-2008. All models are over 18. E-commerce Website Design by Popcorn.