Bondage

Bondage is the practice of binding a person with rope, tape, cuffs, or other restraints, for erotic, aesthetic, or somatosensory stimulation

Bondage

Health risk	Moderate
Legal risk	Moderate

Background

Bondage may be practiced for specific purposes such as sexual acts, for aesthetics/art, for torture, or for meditation. It can also be used more generally, creating power dynamics and releasing endorphins.

An individual who is being bound is frequently called a "bottom", and an individual who does the binding is frequently called a "top"; however, these terms may not match the participants' preferences for anal play. For bondage involving rope, the terms "rope bunny" and "rigger" are also used for for the bottom and top, respectively.

Appeal

The appeal of this practice varies individually and situationally. For some, the appeal is erotic in nature. Bondage can create intensified sensation, opportunity to act out a fantasy, or an appealing aesthetic. For others, the bond created between submissive and dominant is a motivating factor. Some practitioners like the element of pain, and others prefer a more sensual, caressing sensation.

Some enjoy long-term bondage which in itself presents with its own risks.

Methods

The methods of bondage are varied, including but not limited to:

• Rope bondage
• Tape bondage (mummification, tape forniphilia, plastic wrap)
• Chain bondage (chain on skin)
• Leather/latex/canvas restraints
• Medical bondage (straitjacket, segufix, medical restraints)
• Imprisonment (cage, bondage box, prison cell)
• Predicament bondage (stress bondage)
• Total enclosure bondage, such as sleepsacks, hogsacks, mail bags and vacbeds
• Suspension: Can be incorporated with any of these methods, and carries a higher risk of injury.

Risks

Due to the variety of bondage methods and styles, the risks vary in probability and seriousness. The following is a list of more common risks with bondage:

Physical

Accidental injury/Falling

Improper use of bondage equipment, such as ropes, cuffs, or suspension gear, can result in accidental injury (such as a fall) to both the bound individual and the person applying the restraints.

In rope bondage, the bottom falling over is one of the most significant risks, especially when someone's hands are tied. To mitigate against this risk, rope tops should avoid leaving their bottoms unattended with tied hands.

Circulation issues

Tight restraints or prolonged immobilization can restrict blood flow.

Although circulation loss and numbness/tingling are often cited as a risk for bondage, contrary to popular conception, a limb losing blood flow for a limited period of time, while uncomfortable for the bottom, does not cause long-term damage.

Numbness of the limb does cause the bottom to be less aware of the very real and serious risk of nerve impingement. (If your entire limb goes numb, you’ll be less likely to notice symptoms of nerve impingement, see below.)

In other words, losing blood flow may be uncomfortable, but it does not pose a serious risk on its own. It is generally medically accepted that a limb that looses blood flow for a limited period (up to an hour or more) will not cause long-term damage to the limb. For example, if you fall asleep in a position that restricts blood flow your arm, you arm will be fine after blood flow returns.

Nerve impingement & Nerve Damage

Nerve impingement is a serious risk and is highly associated with the placement of the ropes, especially in a TK or arm-binder (nerve impingement can occur in the legs too, but is rarer) where you risk impinging the radial and ulnar nerves in the arms.

Signs of nerve impingement include wrist and foot drop (the bottom can't hold the limb on its own), but also more subtle clues like loss of sensation in a specific area.

In particular, bottoms should know what a “hand check” is: Press the nail of your thumb into all four of your other fingers. Learn this before you get tied up. While tied, perform hand checks every so often, especially after the rope is put on your arms. If one or two of your fingers feel different from the others, or you feel a specific loss of sensation in one side of the hand or arm but not the other side (like you can’t feel in your pinky but can feel the other fingers or you can't feel along the thumb side of your arm), tell your top right away. Sometimes, this can be fixed by adjusting the ropes. If an adjustment does not fix it, the bottom should come out of the ropes immediately. (Rope tops should not hesitate to cut the bottoms out in this situation using safety shears, which should be kept close by.)

Nerve damage is often temporary, but sometimes can last for months or even be permanent. Unlike a position causing uncomfortable blood flow loss (which bottoms can safely suffer through), nerve impingement should addressed right away.

Joint injury

Particularly stressful or tight bondage positions can put a lot of stress on the joints. If not careful these joints can be injured.

Bruising, abrasions, & skin injuries

Improperly applied restraints or rough handling can cause bruising, abrasions, or skin injuries, especially if the bound individual struggles against the restraints. It's essential to use appropriate padding, avoid tying restraints too tightly, and regularly check for signs of discomfort or injury.

Breathing difficulties

Certain bondage positions, such as those that involve restraint around the chest or neck, can restrict breathing and pose a risk of asphyxiation, especially if the bound individual is unable to communicate distress.

Allergic reactions

Some individuals may have allergies to materials used in bondage equipment like latex, leather, or specific types of rope (hemp/jute).

Fainting

Prolonged restraint or intense sensations can trigger fainting due to factors like anxiety or changes in blood pressure.

Overheating

Depending on the bondage and the environment, the sub may be at risk of overheating due to physical exertion, clothing or (full coverage) bondage gear.

Eye injury

The rope end can cause eye injury if the rope is pulled too quickly, especially when tying and untying.

Mental & emotional

Panic or anxiety

Being restrained can trigger feelings of panic or anxiety in some individuals, especially if they have past trauma or negative experiences associated with confinement or loss of control.

Emotional and psychological risks

Bondage can evoke strong emotional and psychological responses, including vulnerability, fear, excitement, or arousal. The resulting sub drop can also be intense for both parties.

Other

Inescapable bondage

Some scenes may involve bondage that is completely inescapable, requiring the assistance of a second person (a dominant partner) to apply and undo the restraints to the submissive. If the dominant partner becomes incapacitated (e.g. due to a medical emergency), this could result in serious injury or death to the submissive.

Mitigation

Disclose details about the scene to a trusted third-party and ask them to physically intervene or call emergency services if the dominant/submissive does not check in by a certain time. Here are a few suggestions for how to do this.

• Ask a trusted person who is located in physical proximity to physically intervene if the dominant/submissive does not check in by a certain time.
  • Make sure the trusted person knows where the scene is and has access to the location, e.g. physical keys and access codes.
• If the restrained person is still able to clearly verbalize (i.e. not gagged), nearby devices such as phones or smart speakers with virtual assistants like Siri can be used to send messages to others outside the scene to get assistance.
• Write and schedule a "dead man's switch" message before the scene starts. Address it to trusted people, explain the situation, and schedule it to send some time after the scene is expected to end. (Many messaging platforms and email providers offer scheduling functionality). The message should emphasize the urgency of the situation and ask the person to call emergency services (or take some other action). If the scene ends without incident, delete the message after the submissive is released. If the message is not deleted, the system will automatically send the message at the scheduled time.
  • This method comes with several downsides, specifically that it requires (1) a reliable Internet connection (2) trust in a third-party messaging platform.
  • It may be useful to address the message to several people.
  • It may be useful to have a message template if frequently engaging in inescapable bondage.

Risk mitigation

Pre-scene preparation

Negotiation

Discuss limits, medical conditions, and safewords before the scene begins. Bottoms may be less communicative or nonverbal once they are in sub space.

• Does the bottom have any allergies? Jute/hemp, latex, etc can cause allergic reactions.
  • Does the bottom have an EpiPen or inhaler? Is it close by?
• Does the bottom have any injuries/illnesses? Certain positions can exacerbate preexisting conditions.
• Is the bottom on any recreational drugs or prescription medication? Even prescription medication can affect clotting and breathing, cause fainting, interfere with communication, etc.
• Does the bottom have a history of anxiety/PTSD? Certain positions/bindings/type of touch can trigger anxiety, flashbacks, and claustrophobia.
• Can the established safeword/gesture can be heard/seen regardless of positioning, equipment such as gags, and even if nerve function is compromised?

Keys

Keep the keys of locks used in an accessible location during the scene. Color coding of differently keyed locks may help speed up extrication.

Cutting tools

For any bondage wherein a bottom might need to be cut out of bindings, have a cutting tool handy. Do not use knives, razors, or exposed blades. These can cause serious injuries. Some good options for cutting tools are:

Cutting Tools

Tool	Pro	Con
Medical shears	Safe, rounded edge Will cut most rope/leather/tape easily	Single use Takes more time due to duller blade
Textile shears	Safe, rounded edge Serrated for better cutting	Hard to apply a lot of force Must be discarded within 1-3 uses
Rescue/Seatbelt Cutter	Safe, rounded edge Very sharp Can keep tool, change the blade after use	Must change blade after each use Can be used incorrectly
Leatherman Shears	Safe, rounded edge Very sharp Can use indefinitely	More expensive than other options Heavier/more bulky than other options

During scene

Upper body nerve

Note: Nerve compression might have no sensation at all, and only be evident in loss of movement. It is different from circulation issues, which might feel like the "pins and needles" tingly numbness of a limb falling asleep. The bottom might feel like the tied limb is a bit cold or moving more slowly. Nerve issues will most likely present in isolated areas of the limb, for example, an icy feeling specifically in the pinky, or an inability to lift the wrist.

In upper body bondage wherein the hands/arms are tied, there are two major nerves to be aware of.

• Radial nerve runs back of arm from armpit to hand. It affects:
  • Outside thumb/top of hand
  • Straightening and raising elbow/hand/fingers

• Symptoms of radial nerve issues are
  • numbness/weakness/paralysis in hand/arm including wrist drop
  • difficulty straightening hand/arm
  • difficulty grasping/pinching

• Ulnar nerve runs from elbow to hand. Entrapment can cause pain and weakness in fingers/hands. It affects:
  • Outside of pinky/ring fingers, palm and back of hand on pinky side
  • Grip strength and fine motor skills
  • Athletes who use their hands/elbows/wrists heavily, as well as gamers and typists, are more prone to ulnar injury
  • Symptoms of pinched ulnar nerve
    • curved pinky
    • pain in elbow or wrist
    • inability to grasp/fine motor skills
    • numbness

Hand checks

Note: performed while in bondage which crosses wrists/arms (no need in arms free chest harness)

• Bottom can tap each finger against their thumb. The pinky/ring finger should feel the same as the other fingers. If there is a difference in sensation this can indicated a compression of a nerve.
• Bottom can flex hands forwards and backwards at the wrist. If range of movement is compromised, this can indicate a compression of a nerve.
• Top can place two fingers in bottom's hands and have them squeeze, bottom should be able to squeeze strongly. Weakness can indicate compression of a nerve.

Lower body nerve

• Common peroneal nerve
  • Decreased sensation
  • Foot drop
• Femoral Nerve

Total enclosure:

Breathing

neck compression

Total enclosure

pull in at ribs/base of neck

capillary refill test

In case of emergency

If the incident is threatening limb or life, extricate the bottom as quickly and safely as possible. Maintain a calm and reassuring demeanor (riggs). Cutting tools should be used instead of untying ropes or removing straps. Padlocks should be opened using bolt cutters. Notify emergency services immediately. Inform the attending medical professionals truthfully with what actually happened so they can accurately diagnose and treat injuries.

Post-scene

Ask the bottom if there is a particular limb that requires release first. Provide aftercare. Check in with the bottom over the next few days.

Bondage kit suggestions

• Cutting tool
• Bandaids/alcohol swabs
• Nitrile gloves
• Small flashlight

Known incidents

• Matt - Mad_Scientist