Suspension Bondage Is Dangerous

We love suspension bondage and we’re excited to share it with you. We want to be very clear, however, about the risks involved.

1. Suspension bondage involves unavoidable risk. Like rock climbing, suspension is a risky activity. Good preparation and training can reduce your risk, but even if you do everything right there is still a chance that you may be injured or killed, or that you may injure or kill another person.

2. We don’t have all the answers. Unlike rock climbing, suspension bondage has no professional standards bodies and no expert consensus about best practices. This book is based on years of study, practice, and consultation with outside experts. Nonetheless, you should be aware that suspension is still a developing field, and our understanding of the best way to do things is still evolving.

3. You can’t learn suspension from a book. The only safe way to learn suspension is to work with a qualified instructor or mentor. This book is a valuable adjunct to expert instruction, but not a substitute for it. Without a skilled teacher to guide and evaluate you, you cannot learn suspension without placing your partner in tremendous danger.

4. Don’t get ahead of yourself. Suspension is fun and exciting, and you will likely be tempted to rush ahead and try activities that you aren’t yet ready for. We can’t stress enough the importance of proceeding slowly and methodically, and always working within your skill level.

5. Always use good judgment. Your best defense against mishap is your own common sense and good judgment. Always be mindful of what you’re doing, and err on the side of caution.

Your partner is placing tremendous faith in your competence and judgment. If you are careless or overly ambitious, they are likely to pay a heavy price for your foolishness. Make sure that you are worthy of their trust.

Suspended Animation accepts no responsibility for any injury or death which may occur as a result of the activities described in this book. By reading this book, you agree to take full responsibility for your actions and their consequences.

Gear

Cutting Tools

Even with the best training in the world, you may find yourself in a situation where you need to quickly remove someone from bondage. Depending on the situation, the fastest and safest way to do so may involve cutting rope. It is critical, therefore, that an effective cutting tool be part of your bondage kit regardless of whether you’re doing suspension or floor bondage.

When an emergency occurs, you won’t be able to step away from your scene and rummage through your gear bag looking for your shears. Always carry a suitable cutting tool on your person.

Types of cutting Tools

An effective cutting tool must be sharp enough to reliably cut through thick rope without cutting skin, even when the rope is tightly bound against the skin.

Cutting rope is harder than it looks—make sure that you practice with your chosen tool before you find yourself in an emergency situation.

EMT shears

EMT shears are the most popular cutting tool.

EMT shears are inexpensive (about $5) and very effective for cutting through rope, leather, and clothes. They are specially designed for cutting in tight quarters without causing injury. You can get them at drugstores, army surplus stores, and marine hardware stores. We particularly like the titanium coated EMT shears made by Clauss.

We recommend ambidextrous shears; otherwise you will inevitably find your dominant hand occupied while struggling to use the shears with your non-dominant hand.

Test your shears! EMT shears have notoriously poor quality control, and it’s not uncommon to get a pair that simply don’t work.

Rescue hooks

A rescue hook is a great alternative to a pair of shears.

Rescue hooks are more expensive than shears, but they cut amazingly well. The Benchmade Model 5 is a popular and excellent choice. Left-handed riggers and individuals with hand problems may find rescue hooks easier to use than shears.

If you prefer a larger grip, rescue hooks are available in a wide range of styles.

Things that look like cutting tools but aren’t

No. Just no.

We love knives, but they are not suitable for cutting someone out of bondage in an emergency. It is almost impossible to get a sharp knife between skin and rope without cutting your partner.