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.

M is for…

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Q
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MRSA

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a strain of staph bacteria that is resistant to many of the most commonly used antibiotics. Although many people with MRSA are asymptomatic, MRSA can cause very serious and potentially fatal infections.

MRSA is of concern to the BDSM community because it can be spread by sharing toys or rope, and because it can take advantage of broken skin.

See also: Washing rope

Marlinspike

One of many styles of marlinspike

A marlinspike is a pointy hand tool traditionally used by sailors for untangling tight knots. A marlinspike is a handy thing to have in your gear bag, but remember that they can be dangerously sharp. Be careful not to stab your partner or damage your rope by mistake.

The marlinspike hitch can be used with any small rodlike object, but is traditionally used to temporarily attach a marlinspike to a rope to serve as a handle while pulling on the rope.

Mechanical advantage

Mechanical advantage is a measure of how much easier a block and tackle makes it to lift a load in the air. For example, a block and tackle with 4:1 advantage makes a 100 pound weight feel like 25 pounds.

See also: Block and tackle

Medical terminology

Petechiae from tight rope under the armpit.

Most of the time, your tissues use aerobic metabolism to produce energy with the help of oxygen. During intense exercise or when tissue is receiving an inadequate blood supply, it may switch to anaerobic metabolism, which produces energy without requiring a steady supply of oxygen. Anaerobic metabolism can only be sustained for a short period of time.

Contusion is the medical term for a bruise. Hematoma is commonly used as a synonym for contusion, although contusions are technically just one type of hematoma.

Petechiae (singular: petechia) are small red dots on the surface of the skin. They are caused by minor hemorrhaging in the capillaries. In suspension, petechiae most commonly appear around the eyes after inversion, or in places where the rope was particularly tight. Suspension-related petechiae are not generally medically consequential, but, like rope marks, they may give rise to awkward questions.

An ischemic condition involves the loss of blood flow. Ischemic nerve damage, for example, occurs when the blood supply to a nerve is cut off.

Syncope means fainting.

See also: MRSA, Neurological terminology, Orthostatic hypotension, Sexually Transmitted Infections

Monkey

A bottom who climbs the suspension ropes is sometimes called a monkey. This can be a fun game, but be mindful of the potential for them to accidentally disrupt your rigging.

When playing with someone who’s new to suspension, be aware that some people will suddenly exhibit previously unsuspected simian tendencies the first time they go in the air.

Mousing a shackle

A shackle moused with a cable tie.

To prevent the pin of a shackle from turning, it is common to “mouse” it by securing it with a cable tie or a piece of twisted wire.

We have no idea why it’s called mousing.