Suspended bondage or not

by Hans Meijer

The current "hype" in the BDSM-community is suspended bondage, most notably inspired by the suspended bondages, originating from Japanese bondage (Shibari). As a result, discussions are currently flowing forth and back between the more knowledgeable Japanese bondage experts (Nawashi), about the question: "should we teach people about suspended bondages, or should we not?"

For a long time more complicated suspended bondages especially have been the realm of Nawashi and other experienced bondage riggers. With the Internet opening up techniques to ever larger audiences however, an increasing number of people find suspension fascinating, highly erotic or simply just another kick.

One thing is quite certain: nobody inexperienced should enter into suspended bondages, be it dominant or submissive!

Inexperienced use of suspended bondages is outright dangerous. This, more or less automatically, answers the question about teaching or no teaching. Proper and responsible teaching simply allows for people to learn the proper techniques and how to use them safely. Besides, the current experts at some point were educated themselves.

Why educate yourself?
Suspended bondage (suspension), regardless if it is inspired by Japanese or western techniques, is what is known as "edge play" in BDSM-terms. It is an extreme sport and involves certain risks. It is best compared to mountain climbing, speed skiing, scuba diving, white water rafting and other extreme sports, all of which can be performed relatively safe, provided those, who enter into it, are risk aware and well-educated, healthy and trained. All this is also true for those, entering into suspended bondages.

The risks one runs are of a technical and of a health-related nature. In technical terms: one needs to understand about suspension points, rope strength and in general have solid knowledge about gear as well as safety instruments.

On a health related level, partners involved should have proper knowledge of the body, the workings of gravity as well as the potential health hazards.

All partners involved need the same level of knowledge and insight, since both partners need to work together to be able to successfully complete a suspended bondage situation.

The main risks
Tackles and other hoisting equipment are only relatively safe, when used by experts. The moment one hoists a partner, most control over gravity impact - and as a result pressure of ropes, cuffs or other restraints - becomes unpredictable and the dominant partner loosed control over the situation. Safe suspension is doing through tilting techniques from a fixed point, preferably a beam or one or more rings or hooks.

Ripped nerves, dislocated joints, damaged arteries and muscles or bone, back and neck injuries all can be the result of unsafe suspension. Certain positions - such as hanging from the arms only - are potentially lethal. Any suspension from the neck of course should be avoided at all times.

Next to this, unsafe suspension may lead to the suspendee falling out of the suspension, which is major health risk and - too - may be potentially lethal.

How to educate yourself?
Just reading about suspended bondage is helpful, but not enough, although it does form a solid basis for further development. If partners are responsible, careful people who will experiment carefully, one step at the time, it is possible to learn safe suspension this way. The preferred method however is to follow either several workshops, or - the best - find someone who can teach you personally.

Workshops are organized throughout the world by various of the more knowledgeable rope artists.

About the author: Hans Meijer has been a performing and teaching Japanese bondage Nawashi for the past 25 years. His books - "Shibari Fumo Ryu" - encompass one of the very few fully documented Japanese bondage systems, including suspension. He is the chairman of the POWERotics Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing solid, reliable information about BDSM.