Rope Bondage Health & Safety

Acknowledgements to slimlthrsub and Esinem

Although rope can be fun, it can also be dangerous. A rope bondage Top has a great responsibility, he must take care not to injure his sub, or indeed endanger his sub's life. The following should be considered:

Rope hazards
Tying/untying
Asphyxiation / Constriction
Standing / Suspension
First Aid
Responsibility
Rope hazards

Be careful with your rope, especially if you have long loops of it pooled on the floor around you. It is easy to trip and fall if the rope gets tangled around the sub's legs, or your own, or (if in public) around those of a spectator/passer-by. Try and keep an eye on where your rope is at all times.

Do not rush. Instruct the sub to remain still when you are tying him in a standing position. He might decide to help you by turning to give you access to his back or front, or lift one foot to allow rope to pass underneath, but is better if he stays in a stable position while you work around him.

Tying/untying

There are several safety points to keep in mind when tying a person up. A simple one is to beware of something I call "whip- eye". This is where you are pulling rope through itself quickly, either whilst tying or untying, and the sub is watching with interest. Suddenly the free end of the rope comes whipping out and smacks the unsuspecting victim in the face. Not good! Slow down, or, if you in a hurry, shield his face with your other hand.

Also, pulling rope fast against skin will cause burns, so slow down. If you are pulling a line of rope under another line with bare skin underneath, pull the upper line away from the skin and then angle the rope you are pulling so that it rubs against the overlying line instead.

Avoid large knots, especially in sensitive areas and particularly if the sub is going to be lying down on them, as this can cause pain or injury.

You may have to untie the person quickly, if he becomes unwell or starts to panic. For this reason, always ensure that the hands are easy to get to in order to free them. If you are using a long piece of rope (more than five metres), do not use this to tie the hands and then the rest of the body, as you will then have to work backwards to untie everything else before you can free his hands. Either (a) tie his hands with a separate, shorter piece of rope, or (b) use the last few metres to tie the hands.

In an emergency, you may have to cut rope off your sub. It is best not to use ordinary scissors or blades to do this, as there is a danger of injuring the person, especially if he is panicking and unable to keep still. A much better option is a safety knife or Safety scissors / EMT sheers.

Asphyxiation / Constriction

The diagram below shows areas to be mindful of when tying. RED areas are particularly dangerous. ORANGE are less dangerous but still warrant care and attention.

DANGER ZONES

1 - NECK! - Be very careful placing rope around this area because of the risk of choking and/or strangulation.

2 - NOSE AND MOUTH! - keep airways clear for breathing

3 - CHEST/ABDOMEN - bindings too tight here will prevent the lungs from inflating

4 - ARMPITS - avoid tight bindings under the armpits or near the top two inches of the inner upper arm, as this will compress the major nerves to the arms (brachial plexus)

5 - OUTER UPPER ARM - about 2/3 of the way from elbow to the shoulder is a vulnerable point for the radial nerve

6 - KNOTCH BELOW BASE OF THUMB - radial nerve

7 - BELOW LITTLE FINGER SIDE OF WRIST - ulnar nerve

8 - HOLLOW OF ELBOW - brachial artery

9 - KNOTCH OF ELBOW - "funny bone", ulnar nerve

Asphyxiation is anything that interrupts the ability to breathe properly and thereby deprives the body of oxygen. Areas to consider are:

1 - NECK! - Anything that constricts the neck risks pressing on the carotid artery, cutting off the flow of blood to the brain (strangulation). It can also compress the trachea (windpipe), cutting off the supply of air to the lungs (choking). Both have the same effect: depriving the brain of oxygen, which can lead to unconsciousness and death. Do not loop or circle rope around the neck unless it is FIRMLY fixed with absolutely no danger of it slipping/tightening.

NEVER lay rope across the front of the neck / throat. If you wrap rope around the head (eg: to make a gag) make sure it does not slip down to the neck.

2 - NOSE AND MOUTH! - Take care with rope that covers the nostrils and/or mouth. Ensure that the sub can breathe through the rope OK. If you use a rope gag DO NOT cover the nostrils with anything.

3 - CHEST/ABDOMEN - If rope is too tight around the chest or stomach it can make breathing difficult, especially if the person is lying face down or bent forward, if it prevents the chest from expanding when the person breathes in (compressive asphyxia).

Also be mindful of this when tying someone face-down, even if there is no rope crossing the chest (ie: hogtied). In this position the sub is lifting a portion of the weight of his upper body when he inhales, and this may be easier for some than for others. If he gets into difficulty and cannot change position he will be in danger of positional asphyxia which has been the cause of death for people who have been restrained by, for example, police and prison officers.

Constriction: Bindings that are too tight will cut off the circulation of blood to body parts and/or damage nerves. Certain body parts are more vulnerable than others because blood vessels and nerves are closer to the surface here (points 4-8).

You can lay rope in these areas without worry as long as the bindings are not too tight. Before finishing a tie insert a finger between the rope and the sub's skin to create a gap, and leave this gap in place when you tie off. Leave enough room for the body part to move slightly within / under the binding.

Avoid using single lines of thin rope, especially in these areas, as they will 'bite' into the skin. The rope should be no less than 4mm in diameter, and using several lines (eg: wrapping the rope around the area several times) will create a more comfortable cuff that distributes the pressure over a larger area, lessening the danger of restriction.

A simple knot may not look or feel too tight at first, but if it slips it may tighten when the person moves. A quick and easy way to stop this from happening is by using a reef knot.

Regardless, you should ALWAYS check for signs of constriction. If circulation is restricted to a body part (such as arms, hands, legs) the skin will look darker and feel colder compared to the rest of the body. Keep checking for these danger signs, especially if the sub is tied up for long periods.

If you tie his hands behind his back and then lie him down on his back for a prolonged period this will put pressure on his arms, again restricting blood flow.

It is also important that the sub understands that he is to report any loss of sensation/numbness that he experiences in any part of his body. Some subs will hesitate to do this, either because they think it is a normal part of the proceedings, or out of masochism. They must be instructed that this is NOT acceptable!

Standing / Suspension, where the sub is held in an upright position for a prolonged period, can also have dangers. If a person remains in a vertical position without moving his legs for more than around thirty minutes there is danger of blood circulation being impaired. This can lead to a variety of problems, some of them serious.

Gravity will cause venous pooling (blood pumped by the heart to the lower body not returning as quickly as it would normally), thus depriving the heart of its normal volume of circulating blood. This reduces pressure in the arteries, and therefore reduces the amount of oxygenated blood reaching the brain, which in turn will lead to fainting. This happens sometimes, for example, with a soldier standing sentry without moving for a long time, and with people wearing parachutes or climbing harnesses who are left hanging following accidents. The medical term for this is orthostatic shock.

Be careful when tying someone in a standing position where their feet/legs are bound, and vertical suspensions.
Look out for the following danger signs:

* Nausea
* Palpitations
* Profuse sweating
* Confusion
* Paleness
* Loss of or greying of vision
* Fainting

Also, if you take the person's pulse and notice a rapid beat followed by a slow beat you should take IMMEDIATE action.

If you notice ANY of the above danger signs:

* 1 - Loosen legs and assist him in moving/flexing/bending them to encourage normal blood flow.
* 2 - Untie completely and sit him down, supported (against a wall or with you holding him up) with his knees drawn up to his chest, his arms around his knees.

DO NOT LIE HIM DOWN FLAT STRAIGHT AWAY - this could be dangerous, as it will cause a sudden return of deoxygenated blood to the heart.

* 3 - Tell him to breathe slowly and deeply, in through the nose and out through the nose and mouth.
* 4 - Give him sips of water
* 5 - Tell him to rest until he feels better.
* 6 - Talk to him to reassure him that he is safe

If he loses consciousness lower him into a sitting position and check his breathing. After a couple of minutes lower him GRADUALLY into the recovery position.

Also with suspension there may be a danger of constriction cutting off circulation if the load is not distributed properly. Another danger is falling if the rope is not strong enough or not secured properly. Be sure you know what you are doing before attempting to suspend someone, this is not something you should try as a beginner until you have gained more experience.

First Aid

A little First Aid knowledge can go a long way. A lot, of course, can go a lot further. Anyone who has the opportunity to go on a First Aid course should do so, as they may well find it makes the difference between life and death. Check for local courses in your area. Your employer maybe be able to fund you to take part. Failing this, get yourself a basic First Aid book and make sure you have some basic supplies near to hand.

Rope bondage by itself should not be hazardous, but you should always be prepared for unsuspected problems.

As with any BDSM play, check with the sub by asking him if he has any medical conditions that you need to be aware of. If he is feeling unwell it is probably not a good idea for him to be tied up. If he has drunk more than a moderate amount of alcohol, or if he has taken any kind of recreational drugs, it is NOT a good idea to continue.

Injuries resulting from bondage are rare, and rarely serious.

ROPE BURNS can be treated with a burn spray or cream. If the skin is broken, wash and apply a dressing.

BRUISES/CUTS may occur if your sub trips and falls. Minor cuts should be washed and dressed. If there is heavier bleeding apply a little pressure to the wound and elevate the body part above the level of the heart.

CRAMPS can be caused by a tightening or contraction of a muscle or group of muscles. Untie and gently stretch/massage the affected area. Cramps can also be caused by dehydration, so give him some water to sip. Don't let him drink too fast, and make sure the water is still, not fizzy.

FAINTING can be caused by many things. A reduction in blood flow to the brain causes a brief loss of consciousness. This could be in response to extreme pain, strong emotion or standing still for a long time in a hot place. Likewise, being held in a fixed upright position, standing or suspended (as detailed above) can have the same effect.

* Signs and symptoms: Feeling weak, faint, giddy, nauseous
* looks very pale.

* What to do: Lay him down and raise his legs above his heart.
(NOTE - If he has been upright for more than twenty minutes sit him down first, then gradually lower him onto his back).
* Loosen any rope and clothing around the neck, chest and waist. Open windows and ask people to stand back so as not to restrict the flow of fresh air.
* Reassure him as he comes round.
* If he does not recover within a few minutes put him into the recovery position and call an ambulance.


RECOVERY POSITION for someone who is conscious and breathing normally:

* Lie the person on his back
* straighten legs
* place the arm nearest to you at a right angle to the body with the palm facing up
* bring the other arm across the body and place the back of his hand against the cheek nearest to you
* with your other hand get hold of the knee furthest from you and pull it up until the foot is flat on the floor
* keep hold of the hand against his cheek to support his head
* pull the bent leg towards you, rolling him onto his side
* pull the top leg up into a bent position

See the British Red Cross YouTube video

Responsibility

A final piece of advice is to not leave a sub alone while restrained for any prolonged length of time. There is no right or wrong time limit, just common sense. Probably nothing will happen but if something does, you really should be there to take control.

The sub's safety is your first responsibility.

See also:
MENinROPE: Health & Safety

MENinROPE: First Aid

Nerve Damage by Esinem