Difference between revisions of "Beginner Rope Bondage"

Revision as of 18:44, 9 April 2014

Beginner bondage is an article of best practices to help you and a partner get started with bondage.

Common Misconceptions About Bondage

The following statements are patently false rumors:

• Rope is always slow going
• True riggers only use hemp or jute rope
• You have to be an expert to get started
• Suspensions are the pinnacle of bondage
• There is only one true way to do "X"
• Rope is only for thin, flexible people

General Rope Safety and RACK

• Bondage is never risk-free. Be sure educate yourself to calculate informed risks so you can give informed consent.

• Always follow proper scene format.

• Discuss the bottom's physical injuries and previous surgeries, bone and joint issues, diabetes, pacemaker, asthma, fibromyalgia, breathing/cardiac issues, flexibility and mobility problems, mental and emotional triggers. If you're not sure about a particular issue, don't engage until you understand the risks.

• A six inch fall onto concrete can break a neck and cause death. Best Practices indicates not to attempt a full suspension in your first year of practicing bondage.

• Nerve Damage is the most common serious injury in bondage, it happens suddenly and quickly and can causes damage that takes 4-13 weeks to heal, or in some cases may be permanent and cause paralysis.

General Tips for Tops

• Keep the rope loose enough that you can work two fingers between the rope and your activity partner’s skin. The goal is to restrain, not to cut off circulation. If the rope might get wet (it’s really hot and you’re both sweating, for example), leave it even looser.

• Keep new bottoms in bondage for no more than 15-30 minutes pending discomfort of the tie. Keep more experienced bottoms in bondage no more than 60 minutes. Cold temperature can reduce time in bondage, always operate in a slightly warm room for best results.

• Check circulation often by looking for areas of skin that might be turning blue, purple or white, be sure to check skin temperature as well, especially cold skin is another sign of poor circulation. Check in with your activity partner often using safewords and safe signals, and make sure they notify you if they start to feel pins and needles or numbness so that you can release a tie. Generally it is good to tie limbs last (wrists, ankles) as they are most likely to be the point that causes poor circulation and ends the scene.

• Never tie rope in a way that might restrict someone’s ability to breathe, especially across the throat. Some ties such as a hog, shrimp or crucifiction tie can cause positional asphyxiation and will suffocate your partner to death if not carefully attended to; be sure to be constantly aware of the bottom's breathing.

• Never leave someone tied up alone. A bound person is a helpless person. Do not leave them to walk or stand on their own in case they fall as they may be unable to catch themselves to break a fall, causing serious injury or death. Some ties might cut circulation and cause long standing non-circulated blood to become toxic.

• ALWAYS keep flat edged medical safety scissors[1] near by in a place you can instantly locate and reach for in case you have to release someone quickly. You are tying people, not objects; destroy the rope not the person. Rope is replaceable, people are not. Test your scissors to cut a piece of the rope you are using to make sure they are able to quickly release. Do not use a knife or typical scissors as these may cut or impale the bottom.

• If conducting an escape the top must be sure to watch the bottom closely to ensure they don't accidentally injure themselves during the attempt as ropes will shift, sometimes compromisingly, during an escape.

General Tips for Bottoms

• Things to bring: Palmer’s/Arnica Cream – reduces marks/bruises, Hair ties/chopsticks, Blanket/Pajamas/Bathrobe - pampering, Water preferably in a container with a straw – keep hydrated, Sugary drink and some carbs – after an intense scene you may be depleted.

• Be in shape, alert, aware, properly fed and hydrated, and present in the moment before beginning. Be sure to use the restroom before beginning a scene.

• Vet your tops, watch them play with others first, get references, ask about their tying philosophies, etc.

• If ropes are to go in your mouth or crotch ensure they were/are sanitized before hand as part of negotiations.

• Do lots of Yoga, daily; increase your flexibility. Stretch before and after a session just like a workout.

• Start low and slow with all things. Do easy ties first, start with easy ground ties then more advanced ground ties before suspension and light suspension before advanced suspension. If someone asks you to do a tie you aren't sure you are ready for explain you are not an experienced rope bottom and do not consent to the tie.

• Communicate how the bondage feels. Sometimes even a small adjustment can radically change how the bondage feels and make the tie safer. Any feeling of tingly fingers whilst in bondage which will give your rigger time to react to the problem. The sooner you make them aware of any problems the better the outcome will be.

• Know that intense tingling in extremities, white/black-purple discolorations and severe pains are signs something is very wrong. Minor tingles, slight discolorations and minor pains are things to communicate so that your rigger can adjust ropes. Some minor pain is always associated with suspension.

• Tell your rigger to untie you five minutes before you need to be untied.

• Reflecting on your experience, respectfully communicate how you felt emotionally and physically during the scene. This can not only help you grow as a bottom but you will also aid your rigger improve their own skill and awareness.

Nerve Damage

Rope qualities

There are many types of rope you can use, be aware of the different kinds.

Types of rope

• Natural Fiber – Hemp, jute, sisal, cotton, coconut
  • Better “tooth”, so it grabs better and takes fewer knots to hold securely
  • Tends not to stretch as much or as inconsistently, so recommended

for suspension

• • Doesn’t take dye as well
  • More expensive
• Synthetic Fiber – MFP (multi-fiber propylene), nylon, poly-pro, parachute cord
  • Less expensive
  • Perfectly fine for most types of bondage
  • Nylon and MFP takes dye very well, poly pro or mixed material does not

Common thicknesses

• 3/8, 5/16, 8mm – These heavier strands are okay for some types of ties. They distribute force across the skin so they don’t cut into flesh and can be more comfortable for some, but can be bulky when you start to knot.
• 1/4, 6mm – Medium strands are a good general use thickness, and very versatile.
• 3/16, 4mm, 1/8, 2mm – Light strands are good for delicate work or hojojitsu, but they can and will put much

greater pressure on the skin.

Typical rope lengths

• 5 arm lengths (~25-30 feet), 3 arm lengths (~15-18 feet), 2 arm lengths (~10-12 feet)
• Longer ropes can be useful for certain types of ties (rope corsets, karadas on taller/larger

body types, etc.) but you might sacrifice tie speed by having to pull lots of rope. Normally this is solved by joining ropes to lengthen/extend them when needed.