Edge Play
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Edge play is typically used to refer to scenes and activities that would be more extreme and dangerous than the BDSM carried out by the majority of people.
Background
Edge play is a broad catch all term that is used to refer to more extreme and more dangerous forms of play, which can be very subjective. It could typically mean scenes that involve implements that can cause direct harm to people and the threat and or use of them as part of the scene, such as knives. It can also mean the use of psychical tactics or torture methods during a scene such as waterboarding. As different people with different levels of experience will have different ideas as to what constitutes edge play, careful discission should be had about what parties involved want and their level of experience to-date.
Appeal
For many the darker aspects of BDSM are what appears and torture scenes from popular culture such as films can fuel fantasies and BDSM. The rise of social media and online porn has also allowed more extreme scenes to be shared more easily. As people increase their BDSM experience, what was once a limit may start to appeal and more extreme play may be chased to satisfy cravings and fantasies.
Methods
The methods for edge play are wide and varied and could include things such as:
- Applying the threat of or use of physical pain and aggro, such as hitting people.
- The threat or use of knives and other implements e.g. a knife held against the throat.
- Other objects that pose a real risks of harm e.g. guns
- Torture and psychological techniques such as waterboarding.
- The combination of BSDM elements meaning that the intensity of the scene increases and the psychological vulnerability of the sub increases
- The use of intoxication and drugs for many would be considered edge play because of the increase in risk of health issues during play and the reduced ability to make safe decisions and mange risks effectively.
This is most defiantly not an exhaustive list and what constitutes edge play will be highly individual and subjective.
There should still be a way for a sub to indicate they wish to end the scene either through safewords or non-verbal signals (two taps, or squeezing a squeaky toy for example). Some consider no-limits and no-safeword play to be acceptable forms and part of edge play. However, you should balance this against the risk of carrying out sexual assault if your sub withdrawn consent and you do not acknowledge this and possible legal charges and subsequent implications.
Risks
Triggering Past Trauma
People can often want scenes and edge play, that play into difficult situations in the past for them and past emotions and experiences. However, this can trigger PTSD when actioned in a scene. They may be unable to safe word or safe signal due to trauma. It is important for Dominants doing edge play to have way to check in with the sub, and to end the scene immediately if the sub is unable to respond to a check in. You should also pay attention to your intuition and gut feelings and if you feel something isn't right, stop and act accordingly. If safe to do so, physically comfort and reassure the submissive, however if in PTSD or a mental health episode they may become violent and lash out, so you may need to talk to them but give them physical space.
If you carry on a scene with someone who cannot consent you are committing abuse. The onus is on you to ensure that you have consent.
Mental health for Doms
As a Dominant, carrying out edge play can have an emotional and phycological impact on you. While playing with your "shadow self" can be a lot of fun, being sadistic and evil to someone, event with consent can bring up difficult emotions and thoughts. Ensure you are able to get support from your sub as well and have support from other Doms to be able to discuss this in a safe and non-judgemental way, that protects your subs privacy.
Legality
Activities of edge play may well be illegal in your country, see "Known Incidents". Taking photos or videos may be unwise and sharing them publicly may also be an offense as well as providing your own evidence that could be used in prosecution. Discussing scenes on insecure channels and messaging apps could also provide evidence to authorities, you should consider ensuring that communication for planning and discussion is secure and encrypted.
Risk mitigation
Planning
It is important to evaluate risk and plan edge scenes so that you are prepared for what you will carry out and have mitigations in place for expected and unexpected risks. You should ensure you have suitable control of the environment that will be used and for example that you are able to prevent others from adversely affecting your scene (while help in an emergency may be welcomed).
Physical health
- Checking for pre-existing health conditions
- Controlling the environment and play space
- First aid equipment and suitable knowledge
Mental Health
As well as asking about physical health, you should also ask about mental health of your play partner and any past issues or trauma that could be triggered or come up from actions planned in the scene, words, or emotions. You should also ask in the event of them being triggered, how to best calm them down and support them.
Known incidents
In the UK Operation Spanner was a targeting of gay men carrying out BDSM that resulted in their persecution and prosecution: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Spanner