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suspension - 3/25/2014 5:03:55 PM

manimal2512

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Can anyone enlighten me as to the safety aspects of using chains and padlocks for suspension instead of ropes as although I enjoy suspension
I do find the rope work involved very time consuming. I use chains a lot for general bondage but as yet have not tried them with suspension
and do not wish to do so until I can ensure that it is going to be safe for any slave that I am suspending.

Thanks in advance for any opinions and advice on this subject.

Manimal

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RE: suspension - 3/26/2014 12:11:06 AM

stef

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Do you use panic snaps with your chains/padlocks?

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RE: suspension - 3/26/2014 7:22:20 PM

StrongSpirit

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Ropes tighten. Chains that are locked together do not. I find that makes chains safer as well as quicker. But they also can't be cut.

I also suggest getting multiple locks with the same key - and having multiple copies of the keys,

As for suspension, one issue with chains is do NOT use cuffs that are not designed for suspension. That is, people often lock chains to cuffs on legs, arms, etc. That works fine for non-suspension stuff. But if you are doing suspension, you can't simply chain the cuffs up and lift by the arms and legs because it may dislocate the arms and legs. Rope usually has more than just four points of connection to the body.

You need to take a lot more care that the chains are evenly supporting the weight of the body. I personally suggest you use a suspension harness similar to what rock climbers or parachuters use.

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RE: suspension - 3/28/2014 9:05:28 AM

GotSteel

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quote:

ORIGINAL: manimal2512
I use chains a lot for general bondage but as yet have not tried them with suspension
and do not wish to do so until I can ensure that it is going to be safe for any slave that I am suspending.

They won't be, ropes aren't safe either. You should consider both forms of suspension edge play. Basically the problem and reason why other kinds of suspension use well padded harnesses is that using rope (or chain) ends up distributing your bodies weight over a relatively small surface. This causes a risk of nerve damage which can be somewhat mitigated by understanding anatomy and/or sticking to safer ties but it's still a risk.

If you're looking for a safe easy way to do suspension consider using well crafted leather restraints. Note that the vast majority of rope suspension falls within the realm of hip harness, chest harness and various limb restraints. Those are all not only immensely doable but also superior in leather.

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RE: suspension - 3/28/2014 6:44:20 PM

skibum

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We had a chain break on us once. 2000 lb weight rating, and it was brand new. When it broke I fell, just high enough to do some damage to my shoulder, but too high for me to catch myself before the damage was done. The quick links we were using were undamaged, it was just an unfortunate accident. Rope can break too, but had it been rope the damage would have been more serious as it would have taken longer to get out of the rope.

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RE: suspension - 3/29/2014 3:45:07 AM

manimal2512

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Thanks everyone for all the help and advice it is appreciated.

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RE: suspension - 3/29/2014 7:11:35 PM

GotSteel

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quote:

ORIGINAL: skibum
We had a chain break on us once. 2000 lb weight rating, and it was brand new. When it broke I fell, just high enough to do some damage to my shoulder, but too high for me to catch myself before the damage was done. The quick links we were using were undamaged, it was just an unfortunate accident. Rope can break too, but had it been rope the damage would have been more serious as it would have taken longer to get out of the rope.

Can you tell me more about the break?

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RE: suspension - 3/30/2014 4:09:34 AM

manimal2512

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I have not as yet used any form of panic breaks as I have not used chains for suspension yet can anyone suggest any?. When I am using chains just for bondage I just use the chains and normal padlocks but I make sure I have the keys with me at all times and I am always close. The keys and padlocks are colour coded so I would not have to fumble with a bunch of keys I can just go straight for the one(s) I need.

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RE: suspension - 3/30/2014 12:31:08 PM

ivone57

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chains as a suspension device doesnt seem logical to me ... chains can slip and an accident can happen...

find someone in your area who is knowledgeable in suspension and have them teach you....

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RE: suspension - 3/30/2014 6:20:45 PM

skibum

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The chain we were using had a bad weld on one link, which is what caused the failure. It was a double welded link, where instead of being made from one piece of steel it was made from two. When I showed it to a buddy who welds he said it looked like either the welder ran out of wire or it wasn't set hot enough to properly perform the job. When we inspected the rest of the chain we found more bad welds. With the resulting shoulder injury suspension is no longer an option for me, I have enough trouble taking things off a shelf over my head.

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RE: suspension - 4/11/2014 6:35:48 AM

GotSteel

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quote:

ORIGINAL: skibum
The chain we were using had a bad weld on one link, which is what caused the failure. It was a double welded link, where instead of being made from one piece of steel it was made from two. When I showed it to a buddy who welds he said it looked like either the welder ran out of wire or it wasn't set hot enough to properly perform the job. When we inspected the rest of the chain we found more bad welds. With the resulting shoulder injury suspension is no longer an option for me, I have enough trouble taking things off a shelf over my head.

Wow, I suspected poor welding was involved but was hoping there was at least something in the way of extenuating circumstances.

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RE: suspension - 4/11/2014 2:23:44 PM

DoYouLikePain

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Manimal,

You've had plenty of good responses .. but I didn't see any that specifically addressed the type of panic snaps to use.

I agree that ropes that tighten, or chains that have hard, focal pressure can both cut off circulation, cause hematomata, bone "bruises" etc ... so spreading the weight (as others have suggested) with harnesses, or broad leather straps designed for suspension is important.

You also have to monitor the condition of the person suspended ... if the extremities get blue & cold ... and don't have a rapid capillary refill ... then you have to limit that type of play to under 20 minutes (that's not an absolute ... but a reasonable number).

For some safety snaps, look at these for examples ... similar can be had at any Tack Supply ... Tractor Supply Company ... Feed & Grain store, etc.

www.hardwarestore.com/panic-swivel-snap-136853.aspx

www.hardwarestore.com/trigger-swivel-eye-snap-215400.aspx

www.hardwarestore.com/trigger-snap-672108.aspx

there are other types that will work well ... it all depends upon the amt of weight they need to support, whether you can take the weight off of the snaps (if the person suspended is too heavy & you can't open the snaps, then they are the wrong type).

If in doubt, get a r/l experienced Dom/me involved to teach you what you need to know. And, "experience" isn't what they SAY they can do, it's reputation & general acclaim.

Play safely

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RE: suspension - 4/12/2014 5:37:07 AM

manimal2512

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Thanks for the links DoYouLikePain they are very useful.

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