Beginners Guide to Suspension Bondage

Suspension points may not be the most eye-catching piece of dungeon equipment, but they're a vital piece of kit when it comes to suspension bondage. We asked Victoria Blisse to serve up some suspension bondage tips for kinksters wishing to know more.

What is a suspension bondage point?

Generally, a suspension bondage point is a metal ring affixed somewhere on the ceiling and will often be attached to a strong beam. Suspension points are different from others as they're attached permanently. Sometimes they can be fixed and immovable, or they will be on pulleys or winches to lower and lift when needed. Rings attached to walls are used for restraint only.

How do I safely use one for suspension bondage?

There aren't any special instructions with these kinds of suspension exercises; you use the rings by threading your bondage rope or chain through the ring and go from there. However, you need to be careful when doing so, as it can be extremely dangerous, especially when partaking in Japanese rope bondage. Note: Never try to suspend someone if you have not tried suspension exercises before.
 

A rigger (the person doing the tying) needs to have had plenty of practice in suspension bondage before attempting to lift someone entirely off the ground. However, you can use the suspension points to help you in your tying, even if you're starting out.

The rope bunny (the person being tied) can stand with both feet on the floor, and you can use the suspension ring to pull their arms up into the air or even use it as a way to keep them in one place. This way, you can practice your shibari or kinbaku (Japanese rope bondage) with a fixed point to start all your tying.

If you're using bondage rope or partaking in any suspension exercises which use fabric ties, be sure to have a pair of EMT/paramedic scissors to hand. These are easy enough to find but can cut through rope easily and quickly in an emergency.
Note: You must always ask the person being tied about their physical health.

If the rope bunny has an EpiPen or inhaler, be sure the rigger knows and can administer these if needed. If you're the one being tied, let the person tying know if you have any injuries, nerve problems, or limb weakness. It's crucial to communicate at all times so that both the rigger and rope bunny feel safe and comfortable.
 

Our Victoria giving a little demo with chains.

You can also use chains for suspension bondage, but as there's no 'give' with them, you need to be careful to add in enough carabiners to be able to release the person restrained quickly. They can be a lot of fun, especially if put in the freezer before play!
 

I’m ready to suspend, now what?

So you've practiced and practiced, and you want to do some suspension exercises. First things first, check that the suspension point is secure. How can you do that? Visually check that it's attached securely and that the beam is intact with no worrying cracks. You can also physically pull on it to see if it will take your weight. Note: If in doubt, do not suspend. It’s as simple as that.
 

Ensure there's something soft (like a mat) underneath you, so if there's a fall, there is something soft to land on. When you're planning your tie, keep the bunny's arms and legs free as long as possible, so if there is a slip, they'll be able to break the fall naturally. Be sure to suspend so that a person can't fall on their head and NEVER wrap the rope around a person’s neck.

Also, make sure someone else (preferably an experienced rigger) is with you to observe and intervene if any help is needed - this is especially important if you're doing suspension bondage for the first time. The other person can keep an eye on others in the dungeon, so no one bumps into you as you're tying - as well as ensuring that both rigger and bunny are safe.

Is it all bondage?

Not at all. Once you have your bottom restrained with rope or chain attached to your suspension point, you can then enjoy lots of other BDSM activities. You can drip hot wax all over your sub; however, wax can stain your rope, so be careful if it's particularly precious to you. 
 

You can do lots of impact play from a simple hand spanking, canes, floggers, and even whips. Combine the restraint with a simple blindfold, and you can have some sensory deprivation play – add in earphones and music, and you can torture and surprise your submissive to your heart's content.

Next time you walk into a dungeon, don't just disregard those seemingly boring rings hanging from the ceiling; they could become the center of your bondage and suspension fantasies come true.

Victoria Blisse is an erotic author, a sex-positive Reverend and part of Smut.UK who arranges events for curious and kinky people with a literary bent.

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Images from Victoria Blisse & Creative Commons Flickr users malinki & markjhandel