Ropework And Safety.

[pappyld04]

A number of people read this thread and get inspired to do ropework themselves, or try to convince their SO to do ropework. Man, I'm all about that. One of the biggest reasons I posted this thread was to spur interest in this, my favourite BDSM-related activity.

That said, safety is a HUGE concern of mine, and any other conscientious top out there. And while it is not my responsibility to talk safety (nor is it something that you are necessarily interested in), it needs to be addressed.

Ropework may no tbe as dangerous as cutting or fire, but you can still maim or kill your bottom with rope. And, no, I'm not talking only about failed suspensions or restricting airways. There's all sorts of harm that can be done if you do not know what you're doing. I do not, however, have the time or inclination to fill you in on everything out there that you can fuck up with irresponsible rope use though.

What I will do is repost something I wrote in response to a question from someone with shoulder issues. She asked why ropework was a bad idea due to her shoulder problems. This presents a small taste of what a good Rigger should be aware of and worrying about when tying someone.

A core issue in ropework is the idea of stress positions. The short version is that some positions are more stressful than other, and this is usually what is being talked about when a rope bottom talks about a tie being comfortable, strenuous, etc. A comfortable tie is a low-stress position, whereas a strenuous tie is a high-stress position, or just a stress position, with no reference being given to low-stress ties.

Basically ropework that involves the arms will immobilise the shoulder. If the shoulder is injured, ANY position can be a stress position, and immobilising the shoulder prevents you from repositioning should that position become stressful. In your case, you've got existing nerve issues (impingement or subluxation or whatever), thus nerve pressure becomes a HUGE concern. It's also twitchy because nerve issues don't always give you warning. Blood flow is easier. Hands get cold, skin gets red, there are signs. With nerve trouble, they can slowly go numb, lose strength, or be fine up until they start hurting like crazy for no apparent reason.

Now, if you have issues in the rotator cuff, it gets even more exciting. The muscles that make up the rotator cuff are these teeny little things, and they operate in the most complex joint in the human body. If you have existing issues in the rotator cuff, things can get exciting quickly. Certain positions can feel fine until something tears, then nothing feels good any more and your Top is scrambling to get the shears in play.

The point is that certain health issues complicate things when you are dealing with rope. Rope takes time, and you will be in one basic position for quite a while. You have to be able to hold that position. And if you have an issue that may require you to be freed right the hell now, I get to take shears to my happy rope. If you're talking hand-conditioned imported Japanese hemp, that HURTS. In my case, I use nylon, so whatever, but I still don't want to butcher the stuff (though I'll cut through any rope, no matter how expensive, if my bottom is in trouble, no contest between cost of rope and health of my rope bunny).

Many of these issues exist in any kind of bondage. You can get messed up with leather cuffs and arm binders and such. The difference between this sort of bondage and rope is manifold.

1) Leather cuffs and arm binders and such are much faster to put on and take off, so you will be in the stress position for a bit less time, and can be released far easier.

2) Arm-binders and their ilk tend to restrict only in very limited ways. You can only cause but so many problems with the restriction they're capable of.

3) Any old jackass can buy arm-binders and slap em on, and the only investment is money. If you are going to take the time to learn how to do ropework correctly, you are also (hopefully) going to learn how to protect your bottom.

And we haven't even gotten into circulatory issues. Any time anyone has low blood pressure, poor circulation, is on meds to slow down their heart rate, etc, precautions have to be taken.

Does that help explain why I would have concerns?

EDIT: Please note that lower body and torso work would be perfectly fine. Stuff that puts stress on the shoulder would not. You could be tied, but certain ties are a no-go.

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As I said in the post, this is only dealing sith shoulder issues. It doesn't touch on circulatory concerns, other joint issues, breathing difficulties, or such fun and lethal stuff as Harness Hang Syndrome. Yes, lethal.

Don't just grab rope and go. Do some research first on how not to harm/maim/kill your lovely rope bunny. Seriously.

I mean it. Research. Learn. Get instruction.