The Commandments of Bondage

Just as there are a lot of things you CAN do with bondage, there are also many things that you should not do. Here are the commandments of bondage:

 

1) Thou shalt not tie anyone up until you have learned some basics and practiced on inanimate objects.
When you don't know what you're doing, your partner should not be a test subject.

2) Thou shalt not tie anyone across their neck or their windpipe.
Even the slightest bit of pressure on this area can cause the airway to collapse.

3) Thou shalt always stop the scene when your partner asks you to.

4) Thou shalt always talk about the limits before a scene.
Setting up the scene ahead of time is not going to ruin the spontaneity. It is going to heighten the excitement because you will come up with a long list of what 'could' happen.

5) Thou shalt never do bondage with someone you don't know or that you don't completely trust.
Too many people simply allow themselves to be tied up by strangers. This is not safe for anyone.

6) Thou shalt never do bondage when you are drunk, high or under the influence of any medication.
When you aren't in full control of your faculties, and your decision-making abilities, you can harm someone. There is some debate in the community about whether even a glass or two to relax is appropriate. It really depends on the alcohol tolerance of each individual. For a woman, I would err on the side of caution, perhaps a glass of wine drunk with a glass of ice water, sip for sip, or a Lite beer, nothing more than that before play.

7) Thou shalt never tie yourself up, alone.
There have been cases of people who have tied themselves up and then lost the key, gotten stuck, and even hung themselves by accident. You should ALWAYS have someone else in the room when you are doing bondage.

8) Thou shalt never leave your partner alone and tied up.
Again, too many things can happen when you leave someone alone. You need to be available should the ropes shift or something become dangerous. Instead, try blindfolding the person and not talking to them, if they want the sensation of being left alone.

9) Thou shalt never force someone to do a bondage scene with you.
It's supposed to be a consensual practice. If your partner says no, that's okay. You should understand. And trying to push them into it isn't going to encourage them to try again.

10) Thou shalt never tie joints like the wrists and ankles too tight.
These places (as well as the elbows and knees) have blood vessels and tiny bones that can all be harmed permanently if you're not careful.

11) Thou shalt always have a safe word or form of communication.
Safe words are in place for a reason. They work to help a scene stop when it needs to.