Someone posted to the ARA (Adult Rope Art) Yahoo group today with questions about Blindfolds and gags because he had been asked to get information on them for a special interest bondage group he belongs to. Well, since I was pretty much snowed in today, I decided to take a crack at it.
Here is my reply post to the list, I hope others find it informative and helpful. Please feel free to link here if you desire but please ask me before you copy or repost anywhere. I spent a fair bit of time on this and would like credit for it. Thanks!
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Hi Gary … I actually laughed out loud when I initially saw this query because it was so ironic to me. Let me explain. I had a bit of a pet peeve for awhile about guys on “Collar Me” that would check off “Expert” next to things like blindfolds and gags because there is a part of me that felt like these are not exactly rocket science topics that require a tremendous amount of training or practice to develop expertise in. Further and it seemed almost pathetic to me that some of these guys were grasping at straws to be able to put “Expert” next to SOMETHING even if it is an activity so simple a semi trained monkey could do it. I mean how hard it is to fasten the buckle on a typical blindfold or a gag?
However, my very dear friend and favorite rope top Mac pointed out to me a couple of years back that I might be surprised to discover that it is not as easy as I might think to blindfold someone with duct tape and not have them lose a single eyelash in the process.
Which of course at the time was something I had not honestly considered, but I can attest to his considerable skill in this area, as well as quite a few others. (pant pant drool drool.. Touché’ by the way, once again handsome, I appreciate that you are ever expanding my horizons).
Anyway, Gary’s questions made me wonder about what I actually DO know about blindfolds and gags and so I will do my best to answer a few of the queries he posed:
* What types of blindfolds and gags do you use?
I have several store bought blindfolds of the typical variety: generally of leather construction and softly lined with smooth garment leather or fur, sheepskin etc. Some buckle in the rear and one of my favorites has a Velcro closure which is really convenient because it goes on quickly and I have less trouble with hair getting caught in it or my nails being problematic etc.
I have also worn one called the “Mindfold” which is especially nice because it wraps nicely around the face completely blocking vision and light etc, with the added bonus that the cut outs in the foam on the interior allow it to not put any pressure on the eye lids themselves. Advantages of this are first of course comfort for the bottom but also that if the bottom is wearing eye makeup it will not get smeared all over their face nor will it end up all messy or sparkly on the inside of your blindfold.
As for gags I have quite a few store bought ones (a few of which are now pictured in this article): a pony bit gag, ball gags of various size and one that looks like a little penis shaped gag, as opposed to the dildo gag where part goes into the mouth and part can go other places first, a funnel gag for water / liquid play, a rubber hose gag (where they breathe through a little rubber hose until I stick my finger in it), an inflatable “butterfly” gag (very nasty that one), some evil steel medical gags and mouth spreaders (all of a very sinister looking sort) and probably a few others I am forgetting off the top of my head.
* Other things I have used for blindfolds and gags are:
· Scarves or a rolled up sarong – I have a breath play fetish so I ALWAYS have silky scarves & sarongs around. Definitely a favorite for multipurpose use, they are great for impromptu bondage also! Wrap around eyes or drop an over hand knot or two at center for a gag.
·Nylon stockings thigh high or panty hose – silky ones feel really nice & some male “footsie” slaves love when I take them off during a scene & use them, it adds to their fetish. Again can be blindfold or gag.
· Rope – simply lark heading around the head a few times until you cover the eyes sufficiently. I think it looks so hot. J Will discuss rope gag below.
·Dental floss - (Midori showed me this one) simply pass over the eye lids or lashes a couple of times, just tight enough that they cannot open their eyes. This can be psychologically “trippy”
· Vet Wrap – Great for a blindfold or to wrap over mouth that has a “gag” in it. I have been known to cover the whole face & head as well as the hands (have them hold a tennis ball in each hand & then wrap)
· Ace Bandage – Super multipurpose stuff and reusable!
· Tape – not electrical as asked below but I have used latex bondage tape which sticks to itself not to skin or hair as well as duct tape. With duct tape I usually wrap the head once in vet wrap, ace bandage or even paper towel so that the tape doesn’t stick to the hair but the sadist in me occasionally enjoys ripping it off flesh.
· Panties make wonderful gags especially damp ones. It is sexy for Mistress to stuff her own in slave’s mouth (assuming you have a body fluid agreement) and it can be really sexy, hot & embarrassing to take a girl’s wet panties off and stuff them in her own mouth. (Not that I would have any firsthand experience with that.) Fold, roll or simply stuff them in the mouth and add a wrap or two with something like Vet wrap to hold them in. See cautions below.
* Where is a good source for ball gags, etc.?
I think most of us will admit that some of the fetish suppliers are far more reasonable price wise than others. I don’t have a particular supplier I am fond of for gags off hand because I have bought from so many over the years. I have occasionally gotten great deals on ebay for all sorts of toys but you have to be careful because sometimes the quality is better than others.
However, I have also been known to make my own really inexpensively especially if I wanted something that was disposable for any reason. Here’s how: go to a sporting goods store and get some practice golf balls, these are usually bright orange or yellow with bunches of holes all around them. Then any relatively heavy duty cord or twine can be run through the center of the ball. I am especially fond of leather cord from the craft store. Anyway, knot it a few times to hold it in place on the cord, (not necessary but helpful) and tie it in the back of the head. Has the advantage of being easier to breathe through than most typical balls.
* How do you clean them?
I use Super Sani wipes on most stuff but hot soapy water would probably be sufficient as well. Unless their gums are bleeding you pretty much are only dealing with saliva which is not the worst bio hazard on the planet.
* Do you use vet wrap or electrical tape? Where is a good source for vet wrap?
Another list member “Iowa Architect” posted this link and information regarding vet wrap: http://www.jefferspet.com/ In Search window, put in “Vet Wrap” Great price and range of colors. There also is 2″ available on the same web-site if you search for vet-wrap.
* Do you use rope gags? If so, how are they made?
Hell yes, as I said before I love rope for gags and for blindfolds. The knot that I use to make a rope gag I think was called a Capuccian but I may have manked the spelling. It looks basically like a little barrel and that is of course trickier to describe in writing than it is to demonstrate visually. I took a fast peek on the web and didn’t see it but I am sure I got it originally from one of my many knot books.
Maybe someone else here knows how to describe it better or has a link to a tutorial. (A little later on the truly fabulous Two Knotty Boys posted the following info in response to this question);
The following YouTube tutorials show ways of reducing and muffling sound.
How to Tie a Rope Ball Gag
How to Tie a Rope Head Cage
How to Tie a Thick Bit Gag
Thanks to the TKB!! If you ever get a chance check them out!
* Is there anything to be particularly concerned about when using either a blindfold or gag?
I think your other questions cover this pretty well…
* Do you use a gag as a head harness or attachment point? If so, what precautions do you take?
I have woven rope gags in among head harness work many times, they can be really pretty as well as functional. Generally if I am going to then use the harness as an attachment point I like to be sure there is no way in hell the person can fall or I micro manage the scene intensely because an oops could result in serious injury of the jaw, neck or spinal cord. (I know that should be an “uhh duh” comment for most but it needed to be said in response to the question.) It can be delicious to rope weave an entire body right up to the head and then lash the person down over every square inch on their body but I generally do that while they are lying down. The times I have done a standing weave that included the head there was so much rope on them that they couldn’t fall if they tried but it was way too damn time consuming.
* What could cause problems with breathing or choking during a scene? What precautions do you take when using something like a handkerchief in the mouth as a gag?
Anytime you place anything in or over the mouth that could potentially obstruct the airway you need to pay really close attention. (Another fairly obvious statement). As part of the breath play class that I teach I talk about gags and the potential hazards they pose. (I am in fact doing that class for “Sinsations” in Chicago next weekend.)
Here are a few things to think about: First, there is the danger of suffocation or choking. Make sure that the person can still get enough airflow. Be aware that reduced airflow can sometimes be tolerable for awhile but that it can also lead to sudden loss of consciousness. (Remember in Pirates of the Caribbean when Elizabeth fell from the cliff from wearing a too tight corset? It can sneak up on you.)
On the other hand, gags that are too deep or big to breathe around at all, or place pressure on the soft palate making it tough to get air through the nose can turn into a problem quickly. Keep in mind also that if a person is gagged on their back it can prevent them from being able to swallow properly = saliva build up = another kind of choke hazard.
You also need to be able to get the damn thing off quick fast and in a hurry if the person got nauseus for any reason because being gagged while vomiting is seriously life threatening!
Positions that require that the person hold their head in a particular place in order to be able to breathe can be a major issue if the person falls asleep, shifts position, trips or passes out. For example there was a bondage death reported of someone that I believe was mummified in a closet with a straw to breathe through. The straw fell out and the person suffocated.
Leaving someone unsupervised and alone in that kind of predicament is beyond risky, it’s stupid. Please make sure that and bound & gagged person has another way to communicate with you if they are in trouble and please do not ever leave them in a room alone if they are gagged in a way that would prevent them calling or grunting loud enough for help.
I could probably go on and list several more dangers but you get the general idea, however I definitely don’t want to sound all doom and gloom in anyway. I am definitely not the “safety fetishist” of the community. (winks at Jay) Basically you need to use common sense and not leave someone alone tied and gagged and when you are with them, pay attention to them. Pretty simple really.
* Is using a blindfold any more complicated than simply and gently placing a covering over the eyes?
Umm I tend to think of it as one of the least complicated things you can do in a scene but people vary quite a bit in regards to what their reactions to being blindfolded can consist of and unpredictability can lead to complications.
So I would venture to say that the issues that might arise would probably not be in the application of it but in the reactions and the monitoring of the bottom while in that state.
I have had people pretty much freak out because of fear, anxiety or past experiences that got triggered. I have also had some people simply sink into this lovely, woozy blissed out state, while oters simply get a wee bit light headed. People quite often lose their equilibrium while blindfolded and so obviously they are far more likely to trip or fall if you don’t take good care of them. Pay attention, stay present, etc.
What questions should I have asked?
Not sure off hand but I am tired of typing at this point and I think I have said all I have to say about this topic for the time being, however I can definitely see the potential for a new class here and if I gave out certificates of attendance & completion then I would have to stop snickering at the “expert” blind folders and “gaggers” on Collar Me and instead stick to laughing at the “experts” at Receiving Massage. But there again, I suppose someone would argue that there is a fine art to learning to lay there and not get up or fall off the table while getting a massage. Geez I am so cynical today.
Stay warm and safe folks!!
With ropey love …
Suze aka Suzanne SxySadist
(Author’s note: While this is a fairly thorough exploration of what to use, my friend and colleague Mac has written a fascinating posting about his reasons why to use here: “Shutting up and shutting down”)
Bye for now.
