Rope Bondage

This article is intended as a basic overview of information and not a comprehensive safety guide. We strongly encourage anyone interested in playing with rope to seek proper instruction and guidance before attempting any ties. 

Safety is a critical factor in rope bondage. There are very real risks involved that can have dangerous and permanent consequences. All participants in this kind of play must be aware of the risks, and how they can be minimized.  

However, some forms of rope play have very minimal risks (beyond rope burn and cramping) and are great options for beginners. These include some decorative ties such as chest and hip harnesses, and mild forms of bondage for sexy play, such as having arms / legs restrained to bedposts. 

Here are some key safety factors to keep in mind:

1. Tightness. You want your ties to be snug but not too tight. Make sure you can slip a finger or two under the rope at all times. If you can’t do this, the rope needs to be loosened so as to not cut off circulation or put too much pressure on the nerves. 
2. Safely Shears. Always have safety shears on hand. These will provide your bunny with the quickest escape from the ropes if anything should go wrong. Often just knowing the shears are close by will help a bunny relax and feel more comfortable.
3. Where to tie. The safest places to tie are the torso, forearm, lower leg and thigh. Be careful tying on the upper arms as there are lots of nerves here. Avoid the front of the neck (choking hazard) and tying directly on the joints (wrist and ankle ties should be just above the joint) (Harrington, 2014).
4. Communication.  Communication and trust are also key in rope bondage, as the person being tied up is at the mercy of the person doing the tying. Before you begin, make sure you find out what your partner is and isn’t comfortable with. For example, they might prefer to have their hands tied in front of them but not behind. It is also helpful to understand what your partner hopes to get out of the rope play. Is it pain? Is it a power exchange? Does it help them feel sexy? Is it for pretty photos?. Asking lots of questions prior to the play will make for a much better session for everyone. 
5. Safewords. Safewords are a great way to communicate effectively during a session. We like the traffic light system where “yellow” means pause for a second, and “red” means stop the scene immediately.