Rope Bondage & Suspension: A Filthy Studios Event Safety and Communication Guide

Rope Bondage & Suspension: A Filthy Studios Event Safety and Communication Guide


Why Rope?

Rope bondage can be beautiful, erotic, connective, and intense. For some, it's a meditation. For others, it’s catharsis or play. But rope (especially suspension) comes with real risks. That’s why skill, trust, and communication matter just as much as technique.

This guide is here to help you:

  • Understand the risks
  • Communicate clearly
  • Stay safer during rope and suspension play
  • Know what to do if something goes wrong

What Can Go Wrong?

Physical Risks:

  • Nerve compression (especially in arms, hands, and thighs)
  • Circulation loss or numbness
  • Joint strain, soft tissue injury, or bruising
  • Rope burns or skin abrasions
  • Falls from suspension

Emotional Risks:

  • Triggered trauma or panic
  • Mismatched expectations
  • Drop, shame, or emotional dysregulation after the scene

What is Drop? Drop refers to the emotional and/or physical crash that can happen after an intense BDSM scene. It’s often a mix of fatigue, vulnerability, sadness, or feeling disconnected. Drop can happen to both tops and bottoms, and it may not show up until hours or even days later.

Suspension increases all physical risks. It requires additional training, gear, and trust.

Before the Scene

Ask and discuss:

  • Experience levels
  • Health concerns (injuries, meds, flexibility, circulation)
  • Emotional state and desired vibe
  • Limits and no-gos
  • Safewords or nonverbal signals
  • What happens if something feels wrong?
  • Exchange phone numbers so you can discuss anything that may arise after the scene

Confirm:

  • Suspension points are safe and secure
  • Safety shears are present and accessible
  • There’s a plan for exit/emergency
  • There’s informed consent on both sides

During the Scene

For Riggers:

  • Check in frequently
  • Watch for nonverbal signs of pain or distress
  • Respond quickly to safewords or red flags

For Rope Bottoms:

  • Speak up if anything feels wrong
  • Don’t tough it out. Pain, tingling, and panic are valid reasons to stop
  • Stay aware of breath, limb sensation, and body position

If Something Goes Wrong

  • Ask for help
  • Cut the rope if needed—don’t wait
  • Help your partner down slowly and safely
  • Validate emotional responses, don’t minimize
  • Seek medical care if there's an injury or nerve loss
  • Debrief and check in afterward

Aftercare & Follow-Up

  • Hydrate, stretch, rest
  • Tend to rope marks or sore muscles
  • Talk through the scene: What felt good? What didn’t?
  • Follow up the next day—drop or injury can be delayed

Suspension Safety Checklist: First-Time Partner

Before You Go Up:

  • Have we talked about experience + limits?
  • Did they ask about my health?
  • Are safety shears ready?
  • Did they explain what they’re planning?
  • Are we clear on safewords/signals?
  • Is the hard point load-rated and secure?
  • Did someone else (friend or crew) see us talk?

During the Scene:

  • Are they checking in?
  • Am I breathing freely?
  • Any tingling or numbness?
  • Do I feel safe saying “stop”?

After the Scene:

  • Was I lowered with care?
  • Did they offer or ask about aftercare?
  • Will they follow up?

At Filthy Studios

At Filthy Studios events, you must check in with Fivestar or a Filthy crew member before any suspension scene, whether you're topping or bottoming. This helps ensure safety for everyone and keeps our space respectful, informed, and consensual. Folks brand new to rope should not engage in suspension bondage as their first rope experience at Filthy Studios' Events. Also, if you are having difficulty communicating with your top or feel you need to stop the scene at any moment, say the word "red", it is a universal safe word, and folks around the space will know you need the scene to stop and can assist.

We’re here to support you, including saying “not yet” if the skills, setup, or communication aren’t in place.

Your Body. Your Boundaries. Your Call.

You never owe anyone a scene. You can pause, stop, or change your mind at any time. Rope should be connective, not coercive. The safest scenes come from collaboration, not performance.

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