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How do you know when to use a safe word? - 11/30/2008 5:36:40 PM   
swan70


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First off--i use safe words with my Master.  Red/Yellow/Green variety--the problem is WHEN AND HOW should i be using them.

if i am in sub space--i generally won't because by that time i want more pain when given pain.  He knows this--and always stops before harming me and begins the bring down process.

basically--i have used them when i can not tolerate the position i'm in much longer.  i can continue the session if the position is changed.  (ie.  standing to sitting)
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RE: How do you know when to use a safe word? - 11/30/2008 5:46:44 PM   
SirMIkeSD


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You have choose when is the right time to use YOUR safe word. That said what is your question, I don't see anything wrong with how you are using them.

Mike

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RE: How do you know when to use a safe word? - 11/30/2008 6:12:35 PM   
lovingpet


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They are a communication tool and, as such, if you need to communicate, it is the appropriate time to use them.  Yellow is a good one for when you want to continue, but are in distress and need a change of some kind.  Red tends to be the end of everything and I don't know that I would ever say it unless I was pretty sure I was dying or I noticed the place on fire behind him.  Honestly, it is in what you can tolerate and what your own concepts for each word are.  These concepts should be mutually agreed upon, so that both know exactly how and why they are being used.  There may come a time when more everyday communication will get the job done.  Until then, it is good to know that you are on the same page on this with your partner.

lovingpet

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RE: How do you know when to use a safe word? - 11/30/2008 6:38:50 PM   
ExKat


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 They're good when you're just starting out and get overwhelmed by a scene. Nowadays, I rarely use them, and only when my dom is hitting me a bit too hard or I need to be untied to use the ladies room or something.

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RE: How do you know when to use a safe word? - 11/30/2008 7:10:58 PM   
LuckyAlbatross


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I allow them in non consensual consent play where screams of badness and no may not be interpreted correctly.  Otherwise, I don't use them at all.  I go the direct communication route when direct communication is possible and the we'll just try to be as responsible as we can approach when it isn't.

As always- safe words have nothing to do with trust or how well you know a person.  Mistakes and problems can happen at play party 1 just as much as they can at play party 501.

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RE: How do you know when to use a safe word? - 11/30/2008 8:33:19 PM   
mbes


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I've never actually ~decided~ to use a safeword (mine isn't a color, it's more an unladylike series of expletives). It just kinda slips out when I've hit the wall of what I can bear.
Since I generally can't speak during playtime, he knows something's up, and it's time to make sure I'm ok.

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RE: How do you know when to use a safe word? - 11/30/2008 10:27:59 PM   
sexisubi


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my safe word is kind of cute, i know thats stupid to say but it is! It's hopscotch.

i have to be honest i only used mine once... and the play stopped. Other then that i resort to possible begging or toleration once i can't tolerate i beg to stop and usually if He can see i mean it (not that i resort to begging if i don't mean it to make things easier.) changes possitions,unties me ties me in a new possition, whatever... i have had no other reason to use it.

This has already been said but i will say it again... it is your safe word (i like the color idea btw =) ) and you can say it whenever you wish to say it...

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RE: How do you know when to use a safe word? - 11/30/2008 11:02:28 PM   
porcelain26


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The whole point of a safe word is that it's there for you to use when you need it, however you need it. In my opinion, there is no right or wrong time to use a safeword. If you're scared, if you're uncomfortable, if something just doesn't feel right....if you get to the point where it's something beyond you...whatever the case may be. You use it when you need it - plain and simple.

As far as flying in subspace and not really being able to tell if you need it (I bet a lot of subs can understand that feeling), that's why you have your dominant close by and hopefully he/she knows you well enough to be able to tell when you're at the stopping point. They're your fail-safe.

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RE: How do you know when to use a safe word? - 11/30/2008 11:26:28 PM   
aravain


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quote:

ORIGINAL: swan70
when i can not tolerate the position i'm in much longer.  i can continue the session if the position is changed.  (ie.  standing to sitting)


If I were doing a stoplight system, that would be a yellow for me (solicited or not). It means 'lets keep going, but something needs to change' and I would communicate that need directly after.

a red would be "I need to STOP entirely" for either an extended break (more than a minute or so) or just period. The direct need would be communicated directly after.

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RE: How do you know when to use a safe word? - 12/1/2008 7:43:28 AM   
DesFIP


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Anytime you need to. Could be the fact that you're so focused on your mouth being dry that you can't deal with any other sensation. Could be a cramp in your leg. Could be bad headspace and you can tell a meltdown is quickly approaching.

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RE: How do you know when to use a safe word? - 12/1/2008 8:28:43 AM   
littleone35


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I would guess you would use it whan you haver reached you tolerencve level.  Or something is happning like you hands are going numb or something like that.  I have never had to use red.  I think i used yellow 2 times in the 3 years we have been together.  Both time its because a rope was pressing into the bone and it hurt.  If i ever used red it would not stop the play totally, Master would  ask what was wrong and if it was a cramp or something he would adjust and keep going.  If it was something serious he would stop.  He knows me very well  sometimes he stops even when i want him to continue because even though i want more he is afraid if i get more i will have a heart attack.  He is always looking out for me.

Matt's littleone

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RE: How do you know when to use a safe word? - 12/1/2008 9:13:07 AM   
sunshinemiss


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Hello swan,
My "word" is actually a change in my voice.  There is a desperation tone in it, and they hear it and know that any further will take me to the "bad" place.  They have never taken me there.  They don't want to harm me.  The funny thing is, I heard it the other night.  I heard the change of tone in my voice.  I had believed them when they said it happened, but I hadn't noticed it until just the other day.  I'm not permitted to make the determination of whether something is too much.  They will make that decision. 

In the past, I've used safe words to let a Dom know if I've noticed something that he couldn't possibly know - for example I told him that I needed to eat because I was going to get hypoglycemic shortly.  He couldn't have known that.  So I said yellow or something and he listened, redirected the play and had me eating out of his hand. 

well wishes,
tgfka sunshine



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RE: How do you know when to use a safe word? - 12/1/2008 8:15:21 PM   
LPslittleclip


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my M'Lady and i have safe words but as W/we have journeyed together in the lifestyle it is more on trust and understanding of each other. for me as i have gained trust with my M'lady i don't feel the need to use them now. for you before the session begins communicate with your Dominant/Master to gain a understanding of the session and of each other first so if  you need to reduce the effect or stop it you will be more comfortable in doing so.

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RE: How do you know when to use a safe word? - 12/2/2008 4:43:31 AM   
RealSub58


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quote:

ORIGINAL: swan70

First off--i use safe words with my Master.  Red/Yellow/Green variety--the problem is WHEN AND HOW should i be using them.
Red means stop.
Yellow means caution...getting to red which means stop
Green means go.
That is how and when, which differs with every bottom.
if i am in sub space--i generally won't because by that time i want more pain when given pain.  He knows this--and always stops before harming me and begins the bring down process.
This means you dont need a safe word.

basically--i have used them when i can not tolerate the position i'm in much longer. 
He is not paying much attention to you if he cannot see your comfort level.
i can continue the session if the position is changed.  (ie.  standing to sitting)  Do you not talk to him and he to you while scening?

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RE: How do you know when to use a safe word? - 12/2/2008 6:35:16 AM   
DesFIP


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Real sub, he can't feel what I feel. So he doesn't know that my neck is aching from hair bondage. It isn't that he's not paying attention. Besides a grimace could be due to a cramp or that damned wooden spoon he likes to hit me with.

As far as not talking during a scene, sometimes I'll be told to be quiet, not speak. At times like that I wait until I really have to say something. Beyond that, some people get very nonverbal during play. If you're beginning to float off it is a lot easier to say red than "Excuse me Sir, but there's a hair in my mouth, would you please remove it?" Some of us need to be brought a little back before we can formulate full sentences.

Me? I wear a gag a lot. I worry about making too much noise otherwise. So the safeword vs full sentences thing doesn't come into play. I have to use a gesture to communicate a problem that requires him removing the gag to find out about.

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RE: How do you know when to use a safe word? - 12/2/2008 8:57:09 AM   
mummyman321


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I am a fan of the Red/Yellow/Green system But I use yelllow for more than just getting near my red limit. Yellow is something is not right and needs to be changed. This lets my Domme know to stop play for a moment so I can communicate what the problem is so it can be adjusted/fixed so play can continue.

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RE: How do you know when to use a safe word? - 12/2/2008 9:02:36 AM   
Mercnbeth


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quote:

...How do you know when to use a safe word?...

 
for this slave, it is when the bone is protruding from the flesh.
 
other than that, this slave doesn't have one.

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RE: How do you know when to use a safe word? - 12/2/2008 10:01:17 AM   
swan70


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quote:

ORIGINAL: mummyman321

...Yellow is something is not right and needs to be changed. This lets my Domme know to stop play for a moment so I can communicate what the problem is so it can be adjusted/fixed so play can continue.


I REALLY like that thinking.   It will help me adjust my use of the word.

REALSUB--
I do not talk much during a session.  First off--I'm too busy screaming, moaning, or what ever other sound is coming naturally from the scene.  I just do NOT think in terms of words once I am drifting towards sub space. 

my Master is aware that language eludes me then. He asks, "What are your safe words?  What color are you?"  This forces me to do a quick check...make sure i'm ok. 

ALSO--my comfort level is not always detectable. example: i ALWAYS have cold toes.  So--are my toes cold because the leg bondage is too tight--or is it just normal?  i have to use my safe words to let Him know--yes, it is ok or no, need a break.

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RE: How do you know when to use a safe word? - 12/7/2008 11:12:40 PM   
MirrorrirroM


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quote:

ORIGINAL: porcelain26

The whole point of a safe word is that it's there for you to use when you need it, however you need it. In my opinion, there is no right or wrong time to use a safeword. If you're scared, if you're uncomfortable, if something just doesn't feel right....if you get to the point where it's something beyond you...whatever the case may be. You use it when you need it - plain and simple.

As far as flying in subspace and not really being able to tell if you need it (I bet a lot of subs can understand that feeling), that's why you have your dominant close by and hopefully he/she knows you well enough to be able to tell when you're at the stopping point. They're your fail-safe.


I've definitely experienced the whole flying to the point of going non-verbal. That's the point where it is absolutely vital that your Top is someone you trust and if you haven't played before there is a non-verbal safeword, like an item to hold than can be dropped if the scene needs to stop, or if its someone you've played with enough that you're comfortable not having a non-verbal safeword in an intense scene its best that they know you well enough to read body language and know when to stop.
I've been with my Master for a few months now, and I remember towards the beginning of our relationship we went to a play party where I bottomed for my first real flogging scene with my Master and a mutual friend co-topping me. At that point I did trust both of them, but since it was my first time doing that type of scene I did end up using the word "yellow" a lot, and even though I did enjoy myself I did actually end up safewording ("Red" in my case) to end the scene after a bit. Much more recently at another play party I did my second bottoming-for-flogging scene with just me and my Master...we had previously had a discussion about eliminating the word "yellow", or at least limiting my useage of it, especially because the whole intention behind this particular scene was to get me into a deeper sub space than I had been before.
It was absolutely incredible. He made sure to check in on me quite a few times during the scene, mainly in the form of pausing and stroking my hair and ass gently and waiting until I flattened myself out on the table before he started again (I tended to sort of curl up to the side when it got just too much, so it was fairly easy to read). The scene ended up being a full hour even though it felt like 10 minutes to both of us. Towards the end I had, for the very first time in any scene I've done, gone completely non-verbal and I was in the headspace where I was just craving more and more pain so it was very vital that my Master knows me well enough that he knew when to let the scene come to an end and exactly how to provide the type of aftercare I needed (which in my case was having him sit with me and hold me for a while and being wrapped in his leather trenchcoat because I had been shaking).
This has gotten a bit long-winded haha. My point was that I think that there can come a point of comfort and trust with a partner where you find yourself very rarely needing to use safewords, but on the same note its always good to know that you can trust them enough to know that if you did safeword everything would immediately stop.
Yup yup

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RE: How do you know when to use a safe word? - 12/9/2008 6:52:39 PM   
StrongSpirit


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First, Safe words are not appropriate for everyone.  For many types of play they are totally inappropriate.  For others they are totally necessary no matter HOW long you have played together. 

Second, you mentioned the Red/Yellow/Green system.  The description of what you are doing sounds a lot like sadomasochistic sensation play, topping from the bottom.  You are being in control of what is going on, despite any outward appearance.  There's nothing wrong with topping from the bottom, lots of people really enjoy it.

For that type of play, you use the words whenever you want to.  You like whats going on, say GREEN with pleasure.  You dislike it a little bit but don't want to stop, cautiously say Yellow.  You have hit your limit, then make a nice clear RED!!!!!


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