Physical Issues of Rope Safety

Before the scene

Safe Words

Establish safe words and visual safe words

Safety Equipment

EMT scissors are essential. A flashlight and fire extinguisher are also recommended.

Medical History

Some questions to ask the bottom:

• Do you have any problems with your back or neck?
• Are any of your joints less flexible than average?
• Do you have any medical condition that I should know about?

Alcohol

Bondage and alcohol/drugs just don't mix.

During the scene

Circulation

Signs of restricted circulation are numbness, such as when your foot falls asleep, or a significant change in skin color. Usually the situation is not serious and can be corrected by loosening or adjusting ropes. For hands and arms, you can perform a thumbnail check to test circulation.

Restricted Breathing

Some ties, such as a rope corset can restrict the lungs and diaphragm. A bottom should remain sitting while in such a tie. Even with ties that are tied over the rib cage, such as a chest harness, restricted breathing is a possibility.

Nerve Compression

Pinched nerves may or may not be painful. They do cause limpness. If a rope bottom cannot move their hands or feet by themself, then they should be untied immediately.

Knee/Elbow Locking

Locking your knees or elbows can greatly change the flow of blood and blood pressure. This change can have unexpected consequences. Fainting is a possibility. So don't let your bottom lock their knees or elbows. Consider doing something to them to make them squirm around.

After the scene

Rope Burn

Tying and untying ties often involves pulling rope under wraps and against the skin. This causes friction and it is surprisingly easy to burn the skin. So pull your ropes through slowly.

Joint Hardening

If a rope bottom holds a position for more than 15 minutes, their joints may stiffen. Tops may have to help their bottom ease into another position.

Balance

Somewhat ironically, the most common cause of serious injury in BDSM is people falling over. In bondage, two common reasons for a bottom to fall over are:

1. The top unties the bottom's upper body before untying their feet and they lose their balance.
2. The top unites the bottom and then steps away. The bottom collapses because they are physically drained.

Temperature

For several reasons, a bottom may feel cold after a heavy scene. So warm them up with a soft blanket.

Rehydration

Both tops and bottoms can benefit from drinking liquids after a heavy scene.

• Water helps replenish those fluids lost to perspiration.
• Drinking liquid also often helps with transitioning.
• The top providing water is a standard part of aftercare

Keep in mind that if you play in public, often only water is allowed in the dungeon and the aftercare area.

Rope Marks

When you remove rope from the skin, light rope marks, also known as ligatures, are often visible. They are not permanent. They will fade as blood natural flows through the skin. Many people consider rope marks to be beautiful and a sign of a scene well done. So don't hide your rope marks away; show them off for all to see!

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