Ropes and Knots

Ropes

There are many different kinds of rope — differing in material and diameters which can be used for bondage. You can buy rope nearly everywhere from drugstores to hardware stores. Some types of commonly used rope are:

Cotton:: Cotton-ropes tend to unravel at their ends. however, it's easy to clean them by simply putting them into the washing machine. (Use some conditioner to make them a bit softer if you wish.) Caution: with soft ropes, knots can be hard to unfasten because of the materials softness but they are smooth and gentle to your bottom/submissive's skin.
Nylon:: Knots are easy to be unfastened. The ropes ends can be melted, so they don't unravel and therefore are more stable. Not as soft as cotton ropes but a bit stiffer.
Kevlar (carbon fibers):: Ropes of Kevlar are very soft and knots are easy to loosen. The ends of Kevlar can also be melted to prevent unraveling. However, Kevlar is quite expensive, but it will last you a long time, if you take care of it.
Hemp:: Hemp-ropes are cheap to buy, but they are a very rough and stiff material. Your bottom/submissive's skin is very likely to be bruised or burned if you do not use these ropes carefully.

When not in use, store your ropes in a cool and dry place. After cleaning, dry them properly before putting them together again. Taking care of your ropes is not only a question of aesthetics and practicality, it also prevents the fibers from being damaged which renders the rope useless for future bondage scenes.

Knots

There are lots of different knots. However, this would be a very long, long page to introduce them all and would go far beyond what we intend here. If you want a complete list (with diagrams and how-to instructions), obtain a copy of the Boy Scout Handbook. Anyway, a selection of simple, but useful knots for bondage are below.

Reef Knot: The Reef Knot is commonly used to unite two equal sized rope ends. It is easily tied and will not jam, so it is always easy to untie the ropes with.
Eight-Knot ([Flemish] Eight): A useful stop knot, the knot itself looks like its name. It's used to keep a rope from sliding through an eyelet or tightening on its self.
Half Hitch: Used for fixing ropes if there is not too much weight at the fixed end of the rope. Often secured by a second Half Hitch, called "2 Half Hitches".

Lark's Head: The Lark's Head knot is used to loosely attach a rope to a poll or ring. The knot is easy to tie and does not jam. It is suitable to fix a rope with this knot if the rope's ends are strained equally.
Simple Noose: An easy to tie knot. However, this knot pulls itself tight — so don't ever use it around any parts of the body.
Bowline: A commonly used knot to tie a loop in the end of a rope. It has the advantage of not jamming, if you compare it to some other loop forming knots.

Bondage Safety — Introduction

Bondage has a long tradition and is practiced in many variations and for many reasons. As previously discussed, bondage may be used:

to keep someone in a special position;
to limit somebody's ability to move;
to stress the feeling of helplessness and powerlessness;
to limit someone physically by the pressure of the used materials; and
as erotic art.

Bondage can be very enjoyable but it is necessary to have a little knowledge of physiology, materials, and techniques.

The bottom/submissive's safety must always be priority one and before starting a bondage scene, you need to ask yourself if you are able to meet your bottom/submissive's physical and mental well-being at all times?

Bondage Safety — General

Nerves and the Respiratory System:

Essentially one should be careful with those parts of the human body where nerves or blood vessels can be found directly beneath the skin. Critical places are the inner side of wrists, ankles, thighs, elbows, knees and armpits. Intense or long lasting pressure to those spots can cause severe problems, such as build-ups of blood or damage in the nervous system. First signs are numbness, feeling of cold or blue-colored joints.

The Top/Master should always keep an eye on the bottom/submissive and check for such signs. If it seems to be necessary you must loosen the bondage and massage the affected limbs. If the feeling of numbness does not disappear within a couple of hours, see a doctor immediately!

Never put a rope around the neck, as breathing must always be possible. If you put ropes around the chest, take care that your bottom/submissive is able to breathe without difficulty.

Joints & Muscles:

If fixing somebody, especially in a suspension bondage, make sure that the tension is distributed equally. Strong traction in joints or limbs can cause severe fractures in bones or trauma to muscles, especially if the bottom/submissive should happen to faint.

Supervision:

Never leave your bottom/submissive who is unable to move alone, since he needs your intense care as he is exposed in a state of helplessness. Problems with the blood circulation or respiration, fainting or even a clumsy movement or stumbling can result in serious problems. Use an agreed upon "safeword" to make sure that the bottom/submissive is able to give you feedback if there are problems.

Releasing:

Situations will, and can arise, where you need to loosen or remove the bondage immediately! Having a belt cutter, knife or scissors close by is very useful! You should never hesitate to cut your ropes in an emergency. Your bottom/submissive's health is most important and a rope doesn't cost very much compared to your bottom/submissive's health. Bandage scissors are very useful and easy to use since their tips are rounded and you can not accidentally hurt the skin. If fixing someone on hooks in the ceiling or something comparable use special "panic hooks", which can be found in most hardware stores — they can be opened even if you have put a great deal of weight on them.

Bondage Safety — Summary

Make sure the person is always able to breathe freely.
Never put ropes around the front of the neck.
Never squeeze nerves or blood vessels.
Never leave a bound person alone without somebody watching.
Agree on a "safeword".
Make sure you are able to loosen the bondage quickly.
Never bind someone face downwards onto a soft surface, i.e. a pillow (danger of suffocation).

Remember, the object is for both partners to have fun and enjoy!