S/m Safety

The Occasional Mishaps

some accidents do happen...

~~ Sometimes mishaps do occur during a scene.
But while there are many very scary stories around,
in truth, almost none of those ever happened. Most
are just tall tales - a new kind of urban legend. ~~

However, there are a few relatively common occurrences that it's good to be aware of. The following are some of the things that may actually happen - plus what you do about it. Please note that some of the symptoms described here may be indications of other physical or mental problems, such as possible illnesses, pregnancy, hidden fears, etc. If the symptoms appear more often, do consult your doctor.

• Dizziness
  Dizziness is usually caused by uncomfortable or unfamiliar positions, standing upright for too long, strong emotions, too high temperature or just by the tension and the intensity of the moment.

  It may also be caused by maintaining almost any position for a long period of time. This is nothing to worry about. Have your partner change position, sit or lie down for a while and it will soon go away.

• Nausea
  Nausea has the same general causes as dizziness, but may also be caused by lack of food. Treat as for dizziness with the addition of a couple of saltine crackers to help settle the stomach.
• Lack of breath (mostly hyperventilation)
  Lack of breath can be caused by emotion, tension, fear, unexpected claustrophobia, an over-enthusiastic bondage or an unfamiliar position (especially folded over or head down). Signals are sweating, headache, dizziness and sometimes unexplained, strong fear. Simply stop the scene, untie your partner and loosen up tight clothing (like latex or corsets).

  Usually this does the trick. If it doesn't help, have your partner breath into a paper bag (not a plastic one, this may cause suffocation) a few times. Please be aware that unexpected hyperventilation may point to a very hidden fear or a trauma. Get professional help if you think this is the case. Hyperventilation is frequently misinterpreted. Be careful. If the problem does not go away easily, there might be a more serious one.

• Fainting
  Fainting first of all is the natural reaction to hyperventilation. It may also be caused by uncomfortable or unfamiliar positions (head down or standing too long), by heat, exposure to sun, lack of food and drink, and even strong emotion or sudden, unexpected fear. This is not a problem. Stop the game, free your partner and have them lie down. This may be a frightening event, but there usually is really nothing to worry about. But if it happens too often, it may indicate low blood pressure or anemia.
• Bruises
  Bruises are caused by
   (seldom), caning (always), spanking (sometimes) and by bondage (more then you would think). A bruise is nothing to worry about, unless it's followed by severe pain or fever. If you don't want to be bruised, tell your partners about this so they can take extra care. You can avoid bondage bruises easily by covering the skin first before you put the ropes around and by taking care when "unpacking" your partner. Remember that in pulling rope over the skin you may "burn" it.
• Cold, blue or white limbs
  Limbs getting cold, starting to tingle, turning white or bluish (lips) usually are a signal of obstructed blood flow. This can be caused by a rope or a strap being too tight, by compressing certain veins or arteries with the weight of the body, or because the hands have been over the head for too long. It's not as scary as it looks (the average arm, leg, hand or foot can do without blood for forty-five minutes) but it can be very annoying for your partner and cause lack of concentration. Change your partner's position or loosen the offending bondage to alleviate the symptoms. Remember that anemia or low blood pressure may cause the same symptoms so be aware if this happens too often.
• The lock will not come off
  Although this is the bad dream of every dominant it hardly ever happens. When it does it's most often caused by the fact that the lock is cheap and of inferior quality or because you've placed too much tension on the lock. You can prevent it almost completely by testing your locks every time before you use them. If there is even the slightest doubt about any lock, dispose of it. And if it happens, don't panic. Sit down, control yourself and try again carefully. Most of the time this will eventually do the trick. If not, go to the nearest DIY-store and rent a pair of large wire cutters. DON'T try using a saw! You are likely to inflict some serious wounds to your partner if you do. If your partner has chains around the wrists or ankles, another trick will sometimes help. Use lots and lots of soap. Make the wrists or ankles as slippery as you can. There is a fair chance your partner will be able to slip out of the chains (or the steel handcuffs).
• Broken key
  If your key breaks in the lock, don't worry. This may look like a very scary situation, but in fact it isn't. With the help of a magnet you'll probably be able to either lift or pull the remainder of the key out. If you hold the lock upside down in the process you have a much better chance. Then open the lock with your spare key. (Note: never use locks for which you have only one key!)

Based on materials from the POWERotics Foundation © 1996-2000