Knots:
Handy Helpers Knots are not only there to tie people up. They also play an important role when it comes to safety. Here are a few knots that will allow you to play safe.

Stoppers:
One of the worst things that can happen is rope slipping through a tackle or winch. You can safe yourself a lot of trouble by making a simple knot in the loose end of the rope, so it will only go that far in the event the rope slips through the winch or the tackle block. Here is how to make two of these.

The Blood Knot:
Yes, this knot is the one that was used to increase the effect of the Cat ‘O’ Nine Tails, the infamous whip used on merchant vessels. As you can see it is very easy to tie and it will prevent serious problems. If you are a sub, it is a good idea to observe if the dom you are playing with is using this like this for your own safety.

The Figure 8:
The “eight” is another stopper. Just like the blood knot it will tighten itself under strain, hence there is no risk the knot will become undone exactly when you do NOT want that.

Again this is a very simple one, that will also make a nice emergency knot in case one of your rope tips will become undone halfway through your scene. Please never use these knots in whips. A knot in a whip will dramatically increase the risk of serious physical damage. Also, remember that both these knots are “emergency breaks” and – especially after they have actually served their purpose – may be difficult to untie again.

Stress Relief:
Especially in cases where the hands are tied above the head a stress relief facility may increase the fun and enhance your entire scene. Being able to grab something whenever the strain on the muscles gets too much saves the sub a lot of unnecessary discomfort without taking away the essence of being securely tied up.

Usually the ability to relief the shoulders and upper arm, change position and take away the pressure from the wrists will enable her to stay in position a lot longer and avoid cramp and antique. That is what this stress relief helper is for.

Tie a small rope into a circle, wrap it around the rope that holds one or two wrists in position and finally pull the inner half through the outer one. What you are left with is a loop that you can easily move up and down the rope in order to find the perfect position, but that will stay in place as soon as it is being pulled or grabbed.

This allows your partner to seek support by grabbing it or laying her hand through it. Using such relief ropes can be a real “life saver” sometimes.

Cramp and stress in the arms – in a position where the arms are over the head – is the number one cause for fainting during bondage. Allowing your sub some relief without having to untie the bondage will prevent fainting and will improve the quality of your scene.

The above article is a reprint from our information/educational site Kink Culture.

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