Consensual Lifestyles Association
of South Australia

Rope Bondage Workshop

Presented by:
The Control Room


on January 19th 2001
 Why is bondage fun? Lots of reasons. For many people, the knowledge that they are helpless, that someone else can do things with their body and they can't prevent them, is a powerful turn-on. It's a very strong statement of trust to let someone bind you helplessly, or even non-helplessly.

For others, the simple sensation of bondage feels good. Tight constriction can create very intense stimulation, and lots of tight bondage can be a sensory trip. Bondage can feel comforting, pleasantly confining; you don't need to worry about anything, sine what can you do? You're all tied up, and all that's left is to enjoy.

For yet others, it's a buzz to struggle, to let your body lose control. The feeling of every muscle straining against the ropes can intensify.

For many of us, it's these three reasons, and many more :-)

There are are a lot of common-sense things to know about if you want to get into bondage. The basic idea, though, is to experiment. The first few times you won't really know what you're doing, and that is fine!

If you don't have anything handy to tie someone to, you can always tie their wrists behind their back and then to their waist. Or if your bed doesn't have any posts, you can wrap ropes around the legs of the bed and spread-eagle your bottom that way. In general, there are a million ways to tie someone up, and a little practice—on your partner or yourself—will let you improvise in almost any situation.

Figure Eight Knot
Easier to untie and stronger than the common overhand knot.
To Tie Make an overhand loop. Bring the end around and under the standing part. Draw end through loop and tighten. 		Square or Reef Knot
Unties easily if either end is jerked.
To Tie Loop the left end under and over the right end, loop the right end under the left standing part and end. Draw end back through loop and tighten.

Common sense and Safety

 Take your time trying different positions, different kinds of rope, whatever. And if you've got a new idea that you want to try out before your scene... why not try it on yourself? If you can get into a position comfortably, you can probably make your partner comfortable in that position!

Make sure your partner's extremities don't start getting cold or turning blue; those are both sure signs that blood isn't flowing the way it ought to, and that isn't what you want to have happen. If your partner's hands are in a place that's not accessible to you to touch, ask them to wiggle their fingers or toes or whatever and see if they're losing any feeling.

It can be tricky to tie someone up without making it too tight; in general, a good rule is to leave a "two finger" space between the rope and the flesh on extremities if not using cuffs. Before attempting ANY bondage, always be fully aware of any medical problems your partner may experience eg. asthma, circulatory problems etc.

Silk scarves, bandanas, etc. also have this problem with tightening under tension; sometimes they get so tight they have to be cut off. If you're a novice, you may want to avoid these hassles by purchasing a pair of basic ankle and wrist cuffs (in leather, velcro, or whatever). Handcuffs are sexy, but they can also be a pain and dangerous. Cheap cuffs (the kind you buy at the sporting goods store) are liable to break while being worn—then you have to file them off. If you want to play with handcuffs (which are illegal to carry on your person in South Australia), get a good quality pair, with a double lock so you can snap them on and then lock them so they won't get tighter under pressure (as cheap cuffs will). Handcuffs should NEVER be used when suspending hands above the head.
Handcuffs are also bare metal, and aren't good to struggle against, as they can easily pinch nerves... leather wrist cuffs and ankle cuffs are better for those sorts of games.

NEVER leave a person in bondage alone. Though it is a fabulous fantasy to tie someone up in some precarious position (possibly with vibrators or other devices buzzing away) and leave them to stew, in reality you must consider: what if the house is burgled? catches on fire? there is a medical emergency? any sort of emergency? Fun is fun, but a helpless person is just that: helpless. A willing partner is too precious to take risks with.

Be VERY careful about tying anything around the neck; anything that puts any pressure AT ALL on the front of the neck can lead to unconsciousness quickly, as the carotid arteries go right to the brain. Likewise be careful with gags or things tied in the mouth; as well as restricting breathing, they can trigger a gag reflex, which could be really nasty if the person can't get the gag out.

Also, be aware that if someone is standing for any length of time in any sort of tight bondage, it can lead to less circulation to their head; if you suddenly do something intense to that person, it may trigger a headrush which could easily result in a faint. Always use hooks or karabiners, that can be released instantly even with the bottom's full weight on them, and keep a sharp knife or scissors handy in case ropes or straps need to be cut loose (A partner is worth more than any rope).

Be careful what you tie your partner to; if an exposed water pipe is handy, be aware that it may heat up. Likewise with candles; be careful when your waving flame around someone who's in bondage, as they can't flinch or move away.