Bondage

Bondage

Health risk	Moderate
Legal risk	Moderate

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

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.

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.

Methods

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

• Rope bondage
• General restraints: tape, chain, latex/leather cuffs, or clothing (straight jackets, hoods)
• Total enclosure bondage, such as mummification 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:

• Circulation issues
• Nerve damage
  • Wrist drop
  • Foot drop
  • Isolated numbness
• Joint injury
• Brusing/abrasions
• Dizziness/fainting
• Allergic reaction
  • Jute/hemp rope
  • latex
• Breathing issues

Mental/Emotional

• Panic/anxiety/PTSD
• Sub drop

Risk mitigation

Preparation

• Negotiation: Do this before the scene begins. Some bottoms become 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/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?
• 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

Upper body nerve information:

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 information:

• Common peroneal nerve
  • decreased sensation
  • foot drop

Total enclosure:

Breathing:

Total enclosure

pull in at ribs/base of neck

capillary refill test

In case of emergency

if something is serious - cut the rope and call 911, better safe than sorry, tell med professionals what actually happened

stay calm/reassuring (riggs)

After

check in next days

Bondage kit suggestions:

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