Bondage

Bondage involves people being tied up or otherwise restrained for pleasure. Bondage is usually, but not always, a sexual practice.Studies in the U.S. have shown that about a half of all men find the idea of bondage to be erotic; many women do as well. As with any study of sexual thoughts and behavior, the available studies are not well controlled and the best studies are now out of date.

Divergent views

There are a number of different schools of thought about bondage. The social and sexual role of bondage varies among these groups, as does the sense of limits. These groups include:

• Members of BDSM subcultures, who see bondage primarily as one of many power exchange techniques
• Couples who see bondage as one of many sexual techniques
• People for whom bondage mainly has fantasy value during masturbation
• Those who practice bondage alone - self-bondage.

It is worth noting that bondage has sexual appeal to persons of both sexes and all sexual orientations. However, a subculture of homosexual men, sometimes called leathermen, were arguably among the first group to make obvious hints of their tastes in bondage in public.

Technique

Bondage can be divided into six main categories:

• Bondage that pulls parts of the body together (rope, straps, harnesses).
• Bondage that spreads parts of the body apart (spreader bars, x-frames).
• Bondage that ties the body down to another object (such as chairs or stocks).
• Bondage that suspends the body from another object (suspension bondage).
• Bondage that restricts normal movement (hobble skirts, handcuffs, pony harness).
• Bondage that wraps the whole body or a part of it in bindings such as cloth or plastic (saran wrap or cling film "mummification") as well as sleepsack bondage.

Rope is a commonly used bondage device

Some of the large variety of restraints used in bondage:

• Rope, often preferred because of its flexibility. Rigging, however, requires considerable skill and practice to do safely.
• Chains, including police handcuffs, thumbcuffs and belly chains.
• Institutional restraints, including straitjackets.
• Purpose-made bondage gear, such as monogloves, sleepsacks and bondage hooks.

Some simple bondage techniques:

• Verbal bondage, in which (as the name suggests) the top simply tells the bottom to do something.
• Simply tying the hands together in front or behind.
• Anchoring the hands to the front, back or sides of a belt at the waist.
• A spread eagle, with the limbs splayed out and fastened by wrists and ankles to bedposts, door frame or some other anchoring point.
• A hogtie securing each wrist to its corresponding ankle behind the back (wider, padded restraints such as bondage cuffs are recommended for this).

Some more complex techniques:

• The reverse prayer, in which the hands are bound in a "praying" clasp between shoulder blades (not recommended unless the subject has flexible shoulders).
• An over-arm tie, in which the arms are brought over the head, and the wrists fastened together behind the head and then by a length of rope, chain or strapping to a belt at the waist.

There are also some common fantasy settings in which bondage is often played:

• Rape fantasy: The top fictitiously abducts the consenting bottom and has complete control to do what he/she pleases.
• Domination/slavery: A training session occurs in which rewards for obedience and punishment for defiance are given. Humiliation is usually involved.
• Predicament bondage: The bottom is given a choice between two tortures. For example, caning on the rear or flogging on the chest. If the bottom cannot stand one any longer, the top will start the other. This can also be done mechanically, like having a bottom squat and rigging a crotch rope to tighten if they attempt to stand.

Bondage is often combined with other sexual and BDSM techniques. See list of bondage positions and list of bondage equipment for more details.Technique in self-bondage is more complex, involving special methods to apply the bondage to oneself, and also to effect a release after a lapsed period of time. Self-bondage is also notably risky: see the safety notes below.

Safety

Many people regard bondage as safe when conducted between relatively sober, trusted partners who are fully aware of the risks involved and the precautions necessary to ensure safety. Partners who are in committed relationships may have a greater basis for trusting each other. Performing acts in a supervised location, such as a dungeon, or with a group of trusted friends may also increase safety.There is also a subculture of people who seek out others interested in bondage and pursue such activities with people who they do not know well. This subculture has given rise to the safe, sane and consensual credo.Safety precautions include:

• The use of a "safeword", or some clear way for the subject to indicate genuine distress and a wish to abort.
• Never leaving a bound person alone.
• Never tying anything around the neck.
• Avoiding positions or restraints which may induce postural asphyxia.
• Making sure that the subject changes positions at least once an hour (to avoid circulation problems).
• Making sure that the subject can be released quickly in an emergency.
• Avoiding restraints which impair breathing. (Gags or hoods which block the mouth can become asphixiative hazards if the subject vomits or the nose becomes otherwise blocked.)

One very simple safety measure is to, every so often, ask the subject if he or she is all right. Another is to check body parts like hands and feet for numbness or coldness, which can happen if nerves have been pinched or blood circulation has been blocked. Another is to check for skin discolouration. Skin that does not get enough oxygen turns bluish. If blood can get in, but can't get out because one of the veins has been blocked, that part of the body turns purple.If the subject has been gagged or can otherwise not verbally communicate, a different form of the safeword is needed. For instance, they may hum a simple tune, or an object in one hand (typically a ball) can be released.Some simple preparations may also be helpful:

• Food. It is surprisingly common for people (especially those on diets) to faint during a long session. Having a regular meal beforehand is recommended; being fed small snacks during play may also help avoid fainting.
• Cutting tools. A pair of EMT scissors—useful for safely cutting rope and tape off skin—is recommended.
• Keyed-alike padlocks, if chains are being used.

It should be noted that scenes depicted in bondage photographs and videos are chosen for their visual appeal and fantasy value. In most cases they cannot be "acted out" with good results.Self-bondage carries a higher risk, particularly because it violates the first principle of bondage safety: to never leave a bound person alone. Without someone to release them in the event of an emergency or medical crisis, self-bondage can be lethal to its practitioners. It has been estimated in the medical literature there are around 500-1000 deaths every year in the United States due to autoerotic asphyxia (self-strangulation) alone.