Basic Rules of Rope Safety

Communication

Before the Scene

Negotiating and planning your scene helps prevent unexpected problems

During the Scene

Safewords are a very important part of all BDSM activities.

After the Scene

There is a communication element to aftercare.

NEVER leave someone who is in bondage alone

• If a person who is in bondage falls over, they cannot pick themself up.
• If a person who is in bondage is injured, they cannot help themself.
• If a person who is in bondage feels sick, they may not be able to lie down by themself.
• If an emergency occurs, like a fire, a person who is in bondage cannot save themself.

When you tie someone up, their physical safety is your responsibility.

Safety equipment

Ask yourself, if the worst case scenario happened, how quickly could you get yourself and your playmate out of the house?

EMT scissors are essential. They are better for cutting rope than regular scissors or knives because they have a rounded end that will not puncture your bottom's skin.
You should also have a flashlight and fire extinguisher on hand. That may seem extreme, but remember, when you tie someone up, you are taking responsibility for their safety.

Areas to avoid

• NEVER place a rope across the throat.
• Avoid tying ropes across elbows and knees. Joints are generally more vulnerable to nerve damage and loss of circulation.
• When tying ties on the wrists, keep the knots on the outside of the wrists. Knots on the inside are more likely to restrict circulation.

Patience

This is an issue for both tops and bottoms. Don't pretend that your experience with rope is more advanced than it actually is. Go slowly and don't be afraid to untie your rope and start again. If you are the one being tied up, give feedback and suggestions. Keep in mind that tops are not psychic.

Keep the Community in Mind

Even in large cities, the BDSM communities are relatively small groups of people. Most of them know each other and communicate regularly. Like it or not, you will have a reputation. You need to protect you reputation taking etiquette seriously: following the rules if you attend public play events, and generally being pleasant to play with.
Otherwise, you may as well disregard this site because nobody will be willing to play with you.

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