| Safety Manual by Catherine Gross |
| thuddy feeling. The wider tip disburses the impactto a greater degree. Crops and slappers can vary greatly in their “bounce-ability”. Less bounce means deeper muscle impact. Some slappers have a metal piece placed down the middle of the implement to enhance strength and stability. This will also increase the strike greatly. One of the advantages of implements of this nature is that they are more easily aimed and handled. Generally, these implements will not wrap. However, canes that are extremely thin, will wrap easily. They will bounce onto the hip after the body |
| Canes, slappers and crops also create highly different sensations. Canes in particular can be heavy play. Canes are usually fairly thin implements (see C of picture). The top item is a doubled rod made of acrylic. The next two canes under C are made of bamboo. Canes can cause enormous bruising and can bludgeon. The thinner the stingier they are. These can be used rhythmically or in traditional sets of six. This can be heavy play as they gather momentum and land with great force in a small area. Canes generally create a long sensation and you may need to wait between strikes giving your bottom a chance to recover. Slappers (A in picture) and crops (B in the picture) can vary greatly also. The tip may be small or large and this will greatly effect the sensation which these implements can create. The thinner the tip the stingier the sensation. The wider the tip the deeper the impact and greater |
| of the cane has already come down on the buttocks. The longer the cane, the greater need for skill. This can be extremely painful and is a thought to keep in mind. Generally the point of the greatest force will be concentrated in the tip of the implement. It is highly recommend that you practice first on an inanimate object such as furniture or a pillow. This can help you get a better idea of how the implement will react to your differing swings. Also testing these objects on your own body is recommended so you will get a feel for how powerful the implement is and what sensation this implement will give to your bottom. The sound of a cane is a clue to the sensation it gives also. The areas to strike and not to strike with these implements are the same as floggers and whips. |
| Canes, Slappers and Crops |
| Bondage & Sensory Deprivation (cont.) |
| - 6 - |
| In bondage there’s a few rules of thumb that generally will see you through any situation. Generally the wider the mechanism on the wrists or ankles the better (say two inches). It’s possible to pinch nerves if the equipment used is too thin. By pinching nerves, you can do permanent damage. When restraining wrists you should be able to place one finger inside the device that way you know it’s not too tight. If you begin to experience any tingling, numbness or coldness in your hands or feet during bondage, you should let your top know immediately. The bondage should either be lower or adjusted |
| completely then. A bottom in bondage should not be laid face down, they could suffocate. Also, metal manacles tend to get heavy and dig into the flesh after a time. Check this periodically to make sure you are not cutting into flesh. Bondage which can tighten without the tops knowledge should be avoided. It can cut off blood flow, pinch nerves or if it is around the neck, suffocate them as well. Sensory deprivation is a form of bondage as well. Gagging is one area of concern within Sensory Deprivation. If you stuff cloth in a mouth the cloth will absorb the saliva and a person can gag and choke |
| because they do not have the proper lubrication. They could also swallow some of the cloth into their throat and choke. You should be paritcularly cognizant of sensory deprivation with someone who has vertigo. I do not recommend sensory dep. in that case. A very important factor of bondage is to discern if your partner has any medical reasons why remaining still, or with arms in a certain position stressing joints, etc. could be dangerous and extra painful for them. Rotor cuff injuries are common. Always ask as a player may not realize it’s pertinent information. |
