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Self-bondage is the practice of sexual bondage
without a partner; that is to say, tying or otherwise restraining oneself for the purpose of sexual pleasure. Because self-bondage is performed alone, it has several distinctive features not present in
conventional bondage, including an increased element of risk; a need for reliable release
mechanisms (after a delay); and special techniques for applying complex bondage to oneself even while movement becomes
increasingly restricted. Self-bondage is also characterised by experimentation and ingenuity, and the opportunity to devise novel
schemes and variations — in or out of fictional stories
— is part of the appeal, and part of the increased danger.
Strict versus sensual
A distinction can be made between strict and sensual self-bondage [1]
. In sensual self-bondage, escape from
restraints is simple and available immediately, if desired. For example, the keys might be
within reach or the knots loosely tied. The chief aim is the sensation of immobility and of
constrained movement.
Strict self-bondage, by contrast, requires that the means of escape is unavailable
for a period of time and the person must remain in bondage until the release mechanism is activated, regardless of whether or not
they would voluntarily continue the scene further if they had the choice. Although strict self-bondage is potentially more
hazardous, some practice it for the greater feeling of helplessness.
There is an alternative approach sometimes recommended which takes the middle ground, and achieves a compromise between safety
and strictness. The method is to use a backup release mechanism that is available immediately, but carries with it some penalty
or cost with its use. For example, keys could be placed in a bucket of paint. The person in self-bondage can escape quickly if
necessary, such as a fire breaking out, or excessive numbness of limbs. However, the annoyance of cleaning up the paint
afterwards would coerce the person into waiting for the main release mechanism to come into effect, even if they were merely
bored or uncomfortable.
Release mechanisms
A variety of release mechanisms are used in self-bondage to allow the practicioner to escape the restraints after a period of
time. There are various trade-offs to be made between ease-of-use, reliability, precision of timing, cost, and so forth. Often
several mechanisms are used concurrently.
- Ice cubes: Ice cubes are
commonly used in release mechanisms. One method — there are many variants, but the principle is the same — is to
place ice in a sock and slide a key ring over it. The sock is then attached to an out-of-reach place. When the ice melts, the keys fall, allowing escape. Advantages include
simplicity and reliability (ice is easily obtained, and inevitably melts). The disadvantage is that it can be difficult to
precisely gauge how long a scenario will last, although some enjoy the uncertainty.
- Combination lock: Combination locks can be used as
release mechanisms. There are two approaches; those that rely on the time needed to try every possibility for an unknown
combination, and those that rely on light in order to see to enter the known combination correctly.
- Unknown combination: The idea is that the lock is reset to an
unknown combination, then used to lock the bondage in place. The person must find the correct combination by trial and error. A
three digit combination lock contains a thousand possibilities. At a second per attempt, this would take approximately 15
minutes. For a four-digit lock, it is nearer two hours. Disadvantages include the fact that it may be distracting to actively
"crack" the lock.
- In darkness: Even if the number is known, for many locks, it is not
possible to enter the combination without being able to see the faces of the dials. This release mechanism relies on darkness.
The light can be provided either by the morning sunlight, or, preferably, through a
light on a timer switch. The
advantages include a large amount of control over how long the bondage lasts (with a timer), and a backup of the onset of
daylight. The disadvantages are only being able to use the technique at night, and having to perform the bondage in the
dark.
- Electromagnets: Electromagnets can be used to release keys
after a delay. If combined with electronics or a computers, a large amount of control is possible over the timing, and the
mechanism is somewhat "fail-safe" — if power fails, the key will fall
early. Disadvantages include complexity and cost. The powerful electromagnets used in door locks can also be adapted for use
directly as restraints.
Techniques
Apart from release mechanisms, self-bondage poses a somewhat awkward problem of getting into bondage, especially when
using rope. What might be a relatively simple matter for couples can be considerably more complex alone.
With rope, the main difficulty is tying the hands in a way that is not easy to untie.
One common solution is to use a cinch noose — essentially a slip knot — together with a coil (a loop of rope). The wrists are place through the coil with the cinch
noose between the wrists and around the coil. To achieve a basic hogtie position, the
cinch noose is tied to the ankles. With pressure, the noose tightens the wrist coil,
securing the hands. It proves remarkably difficult to escape from and usually a knife or scissors is required to cut free.
Equipment that can be tightened only, and not loosened, often has application in self-bondage. For example, handcuffs, zip ties and ratcheting pulleys.
Safety
Self-bondage is considered a higher risk activity than a number of other BDSM practices
— particularly when combined with autoerotic asphyxia
— and has lead to a number of recorded deaths. It is estimated that there are 500 to 1,000 autoerotic fatalities each year in the United States, of which a
substantial proportion include self-bondage as a factor. The death in 1984 of Stephen Milligan, the British Conservative MP for Eastleigh, was a case of
auto-erotic asphyxiation combined with self-bondage.
Self-bondage has all the risks of physical restraint and
sexual bondage, with the added factor that should anything go wrong, there is no-one to effect a rescue. For example, if blood circulation cuts off sensation in limbs, the planned escape
mechanism may not be useable.
Despite this, many practicioners insist that self-bondage can be performed relatively safely if it is conducted with a view to
minimising risk. Common safety advice includes measures such as:
- Abstaining from "strict" self-bondage entirely.
- Avoiding anything that might restrict breathing, such as restraints on the chest or
neck, or gags.
- Using multiple release mechanisms as a backup in case one fails.
- Ensuring that assistance can be called for if needed.
- Avoiding anything that can cause limbs to go numb or cut off circulation, such as metal handcuffs or overly tight ropes.
- Building up the complexity of the bondage slowly over several sessions, and only adding elements one at a time.
- Abstaining from substances that might impair judgment, such as alcohol
Commercial equipment
While for the most part self-bondage is performed using ordinary and easily available equipment (indeed, it lends itself to
impromptu adaptation and a "do it yourself" approach), a few commercial products have appeared — in the United States for the most part — catering for the self-bondage
practicioner. One such toy is a pair of delayed release handcuffs which operate using the principle of melting ice [2] . Another vendor sells "Solo Play Straitjackets" [3] .
See also
External links
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