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.

N is for…

J
Q
U
X
Y
Z

Neurological terminology

Nerve bundle
Blood vessel
Axon
Myelin sheath

The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system comprises all of the nerves that travel from the spinal cord to the rest of the body.

A neuropathy (also a peripheral neuropathy) is damage to the nerves of the peripheral nervous system (i.e., any nerve outside the brain and spinal cord). A mononeuropathy refers to damage to a single nerve (for example, the radial nerve) as opposed to more general systemic damage. Alcoholic neuropathy is a form of systemic neuropathy associated with alcohol abuse. Diabetic neuropathy, similarly, is a systemic neuropathy often found in diabetic individuals.

Cheiralgia paresthetica (sometime referred to as handcuff thumb) is a neuropathy of the superficial branch of the radial nerve, commonly caused by overly tight handcuffs.

Nerves consist of bundles of axons, each of which is the signaling part of a single nerve cell. Each axon is surrounded by a myelin sheath which facilitates the conduction of nerve impulses. When we talk about the radial nerve, for example, we’re referring to a nerve bundle.

See also: Medical terminology, Nerve damage