Fire Play

By Unknown Author

Fire play is the S&M technique of consensually applying fire to someone for brief periods of time for mutual erotic pleasure. Care should be taken to observe all appropriate safety precautions in order to avoid injury. In the context of this document the bottom will be whom fire is applied to and the Top will be who is applying the fire.

Fireplay is one of the most advanced forms of S&M play within the BDSM community and you should NEVER try it without being properly instructed my a seasoned professional. Reading this article is NOT enough. You are responsible for the consequences of your actions.

FIRST AID AND SAFETY

It's helpful to have a fire extinguisher on hand, to do the first play over an area that isn't flammable, and to avoid having the bottom wear anything that alcohol could drip into, and to also avoid the wearing of hairspray. Putting the hair up is also a good idea. Also good is having a large cotton wet blanket on hand in case the fire runs away, and the blanket may be used in cases where a fire extinguisher is unavailable.

"Second Skin" works very well for first aid burns.

First Degree Burns: Characterized by localized redness. Treatment can include cold water, keeping the burn covered by cool/clean cloth such as gauze pads, and using aloe vera and/or mineral oil.

Second Degree Burns: Characterized by blistering. One shouldn't pop blisters, keep the area clean.

Third Degree Burns: These commonly need medical attention, especially if they are large. They are generally kept covered with clean linens, and treated with Silvadine.

For fire play with alcohol, one may use one's hand to brush out the flame, or block out a traveling flame from going higher. If one is going to be doing this, it can be helpful to apply a lotion such as LubriSoft to one's hands first.

It should go without saying that the bottom should not be wearing clothing on the area to which fire will be applied, or which will be anywhere near fire.

One should have a few extra saucers on hand, so one has a place to rest the torches.

In general, it's helpful to perform fire play in places where there is a good ventilation. If someone has body hair, that will be incinerated in the area to which fire is being applied, which can cause stench unless there is good air circulation.

FLASH COTTON

This may be used to produce a brief, brilliant flash of fire and mild to moderate heat.

It's helpful to have a punk stick to light the flash cotton with.

Don't put the punk or flash cotton in an orifice or mucuous membrane-this can cause more heat for a longer period.

The thicker the amount of flash cotton used, the more heat that is generated. One may form the flash cotton into long strips, which one lights at the tendril ends. If one twists the flash cotton, it burns longer.

Keep a glass of cold water handy.

Do not keep the flash cotton in enclosed spaces near sources of heat.

You can buy flash cotton at any local magic shop.

FORMING TORCHES

Obtain a series of 14 inch length 3/8 diameter dowels. One sands/bevels the ends so they don't leave splinters or pole through the end of the torch. About 1 1/2 inches down from an end of the dowel, use a knife to make a score/indentation all the way around the dowel.

One can then use a paper towel soaked in linseed oil to brush the dowel  with, so that it doesn't burn. It can be retreated every once in a while during its lifetime.

Take a 4x4 gauze pad, and unfold it. Refold it as necessary so the pad has a consistent thickness on the appropriate area. Put some sterile non-scented cotton balls in the middle of the gauze pad, and fold the pad and balls over the scored end of the dowel.

The end of the gauze pad should reach the past the cored in the dowel. Take some Nylex waxed thread about 6 inches in length and tie the pad to the dowel, having the thread be protected from sliding by wrapping the thread in the scored channel, make several turns and secure with a knot or two, then trim the thread and gauze tails.

It's helpful also to have two torches, as one does fire play. One can be unlit, and used to apply the lighting fluid. The other can be lit to light the fluid.

Dip the torches in 70% rubbing alcohol before lighting.

You may blow them out when you are done, and then possibly squeeze out some of the extra rubbing alcohol before putting them away, once they're cool enough to do so. Also put them in a plastic bag as to not cause a stench.

FLAME CREATION

The primary fluid used for fire play is isopropyl rubbing alcohol.

If one wishes, one may use as a lighting fluid 70% rubbing alcohol mixed with liquid soap. This will cause the flame to last longer, and helps prevent the rubbing alcohol from running down someones back.

Votive candles may be used as a source of flame, possibly contained in a saucer so they cannot be easily tipped.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF PLAY

One may pass the torch near someone, perhaps over their back, which is the primary place over which fire is applied. Blowing on the flame will produce more intense radiant head on the area the flame is being passed over. The area just below the scapula works well for this type of play.

The most common type of fire play is to brush an area with the lighting fluid of choice and to light it. The brushing may be accomplished with an unlit torch or brush, and the lighting may be done with lit torch. Common areas for this type of play are the back and the hands. On the back, one may brush patterns of fluid and then light them. The flame will travel the lighting fluid path. A very beautiful pattern may be made using an unlit torch to brush a "V" pattern, starting near the base of the spine and going up to the two shoulders. Lighting the pattern at the base of the spine will cause the blue flame to travel up the back in an exquisite manner.

Some people, especially those who like psychological play, enjoy making fireballs. This may be done with a spray blottle filled with 70% alcohol and a bic lighter. It's important to watch for alcohol mists which may wind up on the floor.

Of course the traditional sort of head play is to hold ones hand a safe distance above a candle, or to drip hot wax on someone. With hot wax, it's important to use unscented parrafin candles and not beeswax. The farther the distance one drops the hot wax from, the cooler it will be when it hits the skin. One can start high, and work down to within the tolerance level of the submissive. Another option which is especially viable if one has a butane torch for heat application, is to tape a bunch of paper-free crayons together of different colors and then hold the crayon bundle above the submissive and cause drops to drip off by applying the torch to them. One may also twirl the whole bundle under the flame to cause a series of drops to fall off quickly.