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SAFE
There is an element of danger in all D/s, B/D and S/M play. We could say there is
an element of danger about many things in life, even driving down the street or
walking through the neighborhood. While nothing is completely free of danger, most
experienced dungeon players will take every precaution for the sake of safety. In the
context of this manual, safe means “to be reasonably free from harm to players and
to others sharing the play space”.
Although dungeons should regularly check the safety of the equipment, one cannot
foresee every possible detail that can arise in a situation. Remember, the Dungeon
Monitor’s primary focus is to protect the safety of players, observers and the
dungeon itself. This means to take precautions necessary to ensure that no one is
likely to suffer serious injury and that the play areas are sanitary for the next user.
The following is a good checklist to follow for safety:
*Players using whips, floggers or other toys that may go through the air or quickly
travel must have a clear path to insure that no one except the scene players and their
equipment will be receiving the strikes.
*Needles must be taken from sterile packages.
*Knives and other sharp instruments must not be left where someone else could be
injured.
*Genitals are covered with material such as latex or rubber dental dam to avoid
dripping.
*Sheets or ground cloths are used under scenes that may involve waxing, blood or
any splashing. Adequate precautions must be taken for blood, water sports and
golden showers.
*Mats need to be placed beneath the bottom during a suspension scene.
*Practice safe sex, if sex is allowed, and maintain any guidelines.
*All vital organs must be protected. No activities which can injure organs should be
conducted. This is particularly the case for neck, kidney and liver areas. Watch for
poorly aimed toys.
*Irreversible damage to the bottom which was not knowingly consented to is
prohibited.
*Watch the bottom’s lips and fingernails during bondage and restraining scenes. If
the bottom is wearing lipstick or nail polish, the Dungeon Monitor will not be able to
see changes in coloration of the lips and fingernails. Watch for blueness and tactfully
check for cold skin and numbness. For example, if you see a bound bottom whose
hands appear bluish, wiggle your flashlight beam on the floor to get the Top’s
attention. Then, using the beam as an indicator, shine it on the bottom’s hands to
show where you have concern. Any true Top will appreciate your attentiveness. Be
aware of breathing and NO bondage ropes around the necks.
*Not every suspension sling or bondage technique will safely hold the weight of a
person or persons being suspended. Check the bonds for proper distribution. Make
sure there is a mat under the players that are suspended.
*If players are new, consider reiterating the safe words used in the establishment. If
you believe that no safe word has been established, it is within your authority to
discretely ask the Top if there is an established safe word, and if not, choose one
with the bottom. Many people choose a color or someone’s name. As a DM,
remember that it is not unusual for a bottom to refrain from using a safe word. This
could be out of fear of disappointing the Top or being in head space to the point of
being oblivious to almost all pain and not realizing that a safe word is even
necessary.
*A whip or flogger should never be used above the shoulders. Eye and ear injuries
can be severe, especially with a novice or overzealous Top. To reiterate from
before, make sure that whips, floggers, etc. are not “wrapping” to interfere with
kidneys, liver, spleen and other vital organs.
*Heavy scenes will vary with perception of players, however they are expected to
advise the DM that the scene is to be played. Heavy scenes include any activities in
which there is intense pain
such as cock and ball torture, blood sports, piercing, whipping or branding, or
virtually anything
that will have very loud noises accompanying the scene. Remember that safety is the
primary consideration.
*Bodily fluids include urine, blood, saliva, semen and any secretions that contaminate
the environment. Bleach water and paper towels are to be available for clean-up by
players.
*Know where the fire extinguishers are and how to treat burns for playing that could
include candles, branding, flash/burn, etc.
*Anticipate the unexpected. Try to spot accidents waiting to happen.
*Carry a knife or paramedic scissors and a flashlight. No toy is worth the cost of a
person’s well being. Let the Top know if you decide that a rope needs to be cut, or a
body wrap is causing claustrophobia and the bottom needs to be freed quickly. Let
the Top know of your observations and let the Top free the bottom unless otherwise
requested or you observe it is necessary to help.
*Knives or other weapons as part of a scene are permitted, however use discretion
about proper placement and security when they are in an observer’s area.
SANE
*Dungeon players engage in what is expected to be sane activities that present no
unreasonable or unrealistic threat to life, limb or psyche. If someone is doing
something appearing unrealistic or just stupid, don’t hesitate to check it out and stop
it if necessary.
*There is pain and there is harm. It takes experience to know when a bottom is in
pain and going beyond what is expected. Look for body language such as:
-Crying which is not for happiness
-Inappropriate breathing patterns such as gasping for air
-Muttering a word and cannot get it out
-Licking the lips..is the bottom thirsty? If you notice that the
bottom hasn’t had anything to drink for the last half hour, have someone
bring a cup of water and a straw to you and discreetly put it on the floor,
without interrupting the scene, so the Top can see it.
-Bottom moving away from the toy
-Severe bruising or bleeding
-Other body language indicating that the bottom is undergoing a procedure
or activity that is beyond their limits.
In most cases, making the Top aware of a situation will be sufficient to modify the
play. If the Top does not agree or refuses to modify the scene appropriately, you
have the authority to stop the scene. Again, use discretion.
*Be alert for activities that present an unusual danger or potential problem. This can
be especially the case for those new to BDSM. Mostly, such people are anxious to
learn, however some may be embarrassed to seek proper instruction. For these
reasons, pay close attention to:
-Electrical play
-Suspensions, including swings and slings
-Knowledge and ability of the players
-Acts that defy gravity and other death defying deeds
CONSENSUAL
All players must make an informed agreement to engage in activities in which they
are involved. Players must understand the implications of play and its
consequences.
*Note brutality versus clear, informed and mutually agreed upon play.
*Be aware of use, abuse and misuse of bottoms.
Copyright Mistress Laya Thomas © 2004
Reproduced by permission for the BRC
This article may not be reproduced in any form, whole or in part, with express written
permission from the author. Contact Mistress Laya
Need more info on copyright law? Click here
There is an element of danger in all D/s, B/D and S/M play. We could say there is
an element of danger about many things in life, even driving down the street or
walking through the neighborhood. While nothing is completely free of danger, most
experienced dungeon players will take every precaution for the sake of safety. In the
context of this manual, safe means “to be reasonably free from harm to players and
to others sharing the play space”.
Although dungeons should regularly check the safety of the equipment, one cannot
foresee every possible detail that can arise in a situation. Remember, the Dungeon
Monitor’s primary focus is to protect the safety of players, observers and the
dungeon itself. This means to take precautions necessary to ensure that no one is
likely to suffer serious injury and that the play areas are sanitary for the next user.
The following is a good checklist to follow for safety:
*Players using whips, floggers or other toys that may go through the air or quickly
travel must have a clear path to insure that no one except the scene players and their
equipment will be receiving the strikes.
*Needles must be taken from sterile packages.
*Knives and other sharp instruments must not be left where someone else could be
injured.
*Genitals are covered with material such as latex or rubber dental dam to avoid
dripping.
*Sheets or ground cloths are used under scenes that may involve waxing, blood or
any splashing. Adequate precautions must be taken for blood, water sports and
golden showers.
*Mats need to be placed beneath the bottom during a suspension scene.
*Practice safe sex, if sex is allowed, and maintain any guidelines.
*All vital organs must be protected. No activities which can injure organs should be
conducted. This is particularly the case for neck, kidney and liver areas. Watch for
poorly aimed toys.
*Irreversible damage to the bottom which was not knowingly consented to is
prohibited.
*Watch the bottom’s lips and fingernails during bondage and restraining scenes. If
the bottom is wearing lipstick or nail polish, the Dungeon Monitor will not be able to
see changes in coloration of the lips and fingernails. Watch for blueness and tactfully
check for cold skin and numbness. For example, if you see a bound bottom whose
hands appear bluish, wiggle your flashlight beam on the floor to get the Top’s
attention. Then, using the beam as an indicator, shine it on the bottom’s hands to
show where you have concern. Any true Top will appreciate your attentiveness. Be
aware of breathing and NO bondage ropes around the necks.
*Not every suspension sling or bondage technique will safely hold the weight of a
person or persons being suspended. Check the bonds for proper distribution. Make
sure there is a mat under the players that are suspended.
*If players are new, consider reiterating the safe words used in the establishment. If
you believe that no safe word has been established, it is within your authority to
discretely ask the Top if there is an established safe word, and if not, choose one
with the bottom. Many people choose a color or someone’s name. As a DM,
remember that it is not unusual for a bottom to refrain from using a safe word. This
could be out of fear of disappointing the Top or being in head space to the point of
being oblivious to almost all pain and not realizing that a safe word is even
necessary.
*A whip or flogger should never be used above the shoulders. Eye and ear injuries
can be severe, especially with a novice or overzealous Top. To reiterate from
before, make sure that whips, floggers, etc. are not “wrapping” to interfere with
kidneys, liver, spleen and other vital organs.
*Heavy scenes will vary with perception of players, however they are expected to
advise the DM that the scene is to be played. Heavy scenes include any activities in
which there is intense pain
such as cock and ball torture, blood sports, piercing, whipping or branding, or
virtually anything
that will have very loud noises accompanying the scene. Remember that safety is the
primary consideration.
*Bodily fluids include urine, blood, saliva, semen and any secretions that contaminate
the environment. Bleach water and paper towels are to be available for clean-up by
players.
*Know where the fire extinguishers are and how to treat burns for playing that could
include candles, branding, flash/burn, etc.
*Anticipate the unexpected. Try to spot accidents waiting to happen.
*Carry a knife or paramedic scissors and a flashlight. No toy is worth the cost of a
person’s well being. Let the Top know if you decide that a rope needs to be cut, or a
body wrap is causing claustrophobia and the bottom needs to be freed quickly. Let
the Top know of your observations and let the Top free the bottom unless otherwise
requested or you observe it is necessary to help.
*Knives or other weapons as part of a scene are permitted, however use discretion
about proper placement and security when they are in an observer’s area.
SANE
*Dungeon players engage in what is expected to be sane activities that present no
unreasonable or unrealistic threat to life, limb or psyche. If someone is doing
something appearing unrealistic or just stupid, don’t hesitate to check it out and stop
it if necessary.
*There is pain and there is harm. It takes experience to know when a bottom is in
pain and going beyond what is expected. Look for body language such as:
-Crying which is not for happiness
-Inappropriate breathing patterns such as gasping for air
-Muttering a word and cannot get it out
-Licking the lips..is the bottom thirsty? If you notice that the
bottom hasn’t had anything to drink for the last half hour, have someone
bring a cup of water and a straw to you and discreetly put it on the floor,
without interrupting the scene, so the Top can see it.
-Bottom moving away from the toy
-Severe bruising or bleeding
-Other body language indicating that the bottom is undergoing a procedure
or activity that is beyond their limits.
In most cases, making the Top aware of a situation will be sufficient to modify the
play. If the Top does not agree or refuses to modify the scene appropriately, you
have the authority to stop the scene. Again, use discretion.
*Be alert for activities that present an unusual danger or potential problem. This can
be especially the case for those new to BDSM. Mostly, such people are anxious to
learn, however some may be embarrassed to seek proper instruction. For these
reasons, pay close attention to:
-Electrical play
-Suspensions, including swings and slings
-Knowledge and ability of the players
-Acts that defy gravity and other death defying deeds
CONSENSUAL
All players must make an informed agreement to engage in activities in which they
are involved. Players must understand the implications of play and its
consequences.
*Note brutality versus clear, informed and mutually agreed upon play.
*Be aware of use, abuse and misuse of bottoms.
Copyright Mistress Laya Thomas © 2004
Reproduced by permission for the BRC
This article may not be reproduced in any form, whole or in part, with express written
permission from the author. Contact Mistress Laya
Need more info on copyright law? Click here