| Safety Manual by Catherine Gross |
| chemical unless you have been trained to do so by an expert. Be cognizant of the area you intend to play with: a) is this is hairy area; b) is there scar tissue; c) is there an open wound? d) how close is this to the face, head hair, eyes, fingernails? Hair will ignite and you can say good-bye to it immediately. Make sure your bottom is cool with this. Scar tissue may be more sensitive, ask your bottom, or may have curves that are more difficult to control. Test the area. You can do fire play over an open wound, however, this may lead to scarification and therefore I would discuss this fully with your bottom. Face, head hair, eyes, cunts and fingernails are not good places to run fire. As to cunts, it’s hard to control, there are so many folds, I don’t recommend it. Now there are exceptions. I personally have used my fingernails as torches. It worked well for fear tactics. I brought it close but never placed it on the bottom as there are chemicals in my nails and I didn’t want to deal with a chemical burn. Dipping one’s fingernails in a glass of water will easily take care of the flame. Your manicurist can take care of the rest. |
| play safely with fire, you should have these items on hand: 1) two bath towels that are wet; and 2) a small fire extinguisher. Make sure you and your bottom don’t have any clothes, untied hair, finger nails, etc. that could easily catch fire because of their close proximity or dangling nature. Know your environment. Make it as non- flammable as possible. Fire may spread in an instant. Don’t panic. Calmness will allow you to handle any situation quickly and adequately. Also, learn how to use your fire extinguisher beforehand. Make sure your bottom understands that fire travels upwards. Sitting up as a reaction to fire is not a good thing. Instruct your bottom not to move away from the fire either. You need to maintain a close proximity so you may wipe the fire out with your hand. Don’t use alcohol that has a higher alcohol content then 70%. The other solutions burn hotter and longer. I do not recommend scented alcohol (such as Wintergreen) as there are oils in it which will make it burn longer, hotter, and will be difficult to put out. Generally do not use another |
Never let a flame burn on skin, immediately swipe the flame with your hand. Even if you don’t see a flame- come behind it with your hand. You may not see it, but it could be there and burning your bottom. Also, sometimes torches drip, be aware of this, be ready for it. Keep your eyes on the flame and on the skin. Make sure that whatever is beneath you is not highly flammable. I watched a shower curtain torch up at a play party from just such drips. I recommend wearing shoes that are not open toed. Alcohol may pool on occasion, be aware of this and put it out immediately. Avoid cracks and crevices. Use smaller areas, they are easier to control. Don’t blow on it- this will only spread it. Don’t slap it, this can spread it. Don’t do fire play over an area you’ ve waxed even if you can’t see particulant. Trust me, it’s there. This activity should be a mentored skill. Proceed with caution and have fun. |
| Fire Play |
| Wax: Temperature & Color |
| - 10 - |
| If a someone is burned the first items to attend to are: 1) move the victim away from the fire; 2) put the fire out; 3) if the person’s clothing is on fire they should be rolled in a blanket or doused in water (only use water if this fire was not created with alcohol. Alcohol floats on water and all you will do is spread it); 4) cut away smoldering clothing, do not pull; and 5) if the fibers adhere to the skin tightly, don’t pull, douse in water to loosen. Types of Burns A first degree burn is characterized by red, painful skin with no blisters. It ordinarily heals in three to seven days. It is limited to the epidermis |
| (first layer). A sunburn is a good example of a first degree burn. A second degree burn (also referred to as a partial thickness burn) effects all epidermal layers and extends into the dermis. There are two classifications: a) superficial which involves only outermost part of the dermis and is very painful. Characterized by mottled skin, pink or red and blanches with pressure. This will heal in ten to eighteen days without permanent scars; and b) deep destruction down to the last layer of dermis. The burn will be moist, blistered and mix with areas of mottled red and white patches. The |
| skin does not blanch and may not be painful. Healing may take weeks and leave scars, if this burn becomes infected, by definition is becomes a third degree burn. Third degree burns are the destruction of all epidermal and dermal layers right down to the subcutaneous tissue. Skin may appear charred, leathery or pale and dry. Usually there is no pain as the nerve endings have been destroyed. Healing occurs with skin grafting or scarring. To treat a first degree burn immerse the burned area in cool water or apply a cold compress within an hour of the injury |