Safety Introduction
Introduction to the safety concerns that exist in BDSM, learn about why its important to learn about safety to protect yourself and your partner.
BDSM Can Be Dangerous
BDSM can be dangerous in some scenarios, in rope bondage for example a Dom needs to be educated about nerve areas, circulation, and range of motion test. While there are safety concerns throughout BDSM that range from safe, mild to medium, BDSM should be about safety and minimizing or eliminating risk(s) that would cause any true harm to an individual. It is always recommended to read a handful of guides and safety tips focused around / specialized in your interest before engaging with what you see online or heard. Online porn videos & gifs rarely show safety precautions or explain concepts, only the end of the result leading to the possibility to miss important safety points leading to harm to you or your partner. Always be informed! Lastly, it’s a great idea to not solely rely on your Dom for your safety. Learn about your own kink’s safety concerns so you can be informed.
Important: The next categories are basic safety info, for more detailed info see our detailed kink guides near the bottom of the sidebar/categories. The below info is introductory use only. {: .notice–danger}
Impact
Impact is when you “impact” an object like a paddle on a partner’s butt or thighs. There are several concerns with safety that are not obvious. For example, the ears are a delicate area that can be ruptured from the air pressure of the paddle hitting. Whereas other like the spine are vulnerable to being damaged that can cause serious issues. See our guide for Impact play for more detail
Choking
The throat contains multiple vital arteries that supply blood from and to the lungs/body. It is possible to interrupt that flow so that a person can become disorientated and pass out, or even worse. It’s often better to choke softly and slowly, as applying pressure anywhere near the front of the throat can damage the trachea and larynx. As a general rule, the front middle of the throat is an absolute no-go for applying pressure. See our guide for choking play for more detail
Rope Bondage
Bondage is by far one of the more complicated kinks to understand and be safe with. For example, rope can apply pressure on nerve paths and arteries. Nerve pressure can sneak up on you and an individual may not know they are being unsafe, and it can lead to serious long term nerve damage. The body has several areas where nerves are more prominent and can be affected by bondage that you must be aware of and work around. It is also important never to use knots that self tighten, often referred to as “constrictor knot’’. All knots are to be “self-locking” for safety. Lastly, areas like the neck are red zones that are to be totally avoided. See our guide for choking play for more detail
First Aid
Knowing the basics of caring for what may happen is important for BDSM. Being equipped to deal with bleeding, wounds both in skill set and with equipment is necessary. Dominants are responsible for the safety of their partner and should be prepared for possible complications.