Class follow-up: Flipping Out
This is intended to accompany Shay's Flipping Out: 2-Point Dynamic Suspension class and is not stand-alone material.
General philosophy
More focused on the person in rope, rather than being rigger or rope/bondage focused
About movement rather than immobilization
Circus rope! We think it’s fun and awesome, but also it may not connect with some folk’s expectations or preferences for what a rope scene “should” be.
Note that in this handout we will refer to the person in rope as the “flier” rather than “bottom” – this is to be inclusive of self-suspenders and avoid implying a power exchange dynamic of any sort in partnered suspensions.
Let’s talk about nerves
Six big factors contribute to bondage nerve injuries
1. Individual differences in nerve vulnerability
2. Anatomical location (where on the body you are tying)
3. Duration of compression – longer duration = more risk
4. Severity of compression – more severe compression = more risk
5. Stretch/stress positioning
6. Environment (internal and external)
…Read more about those factors here!
·This type of suspension:
o Avoids areas that are higher risk for many people (upper arms)
o Since the flier is dynamic and in control, there is not generally a long duration or severity of compression in any one spot
o While the flier may be moving into stretches, there is not generally extreme stress positioning involved, and nothing is held for long.
o ...therefore these ties are relatively low risk for nerve injury for many people
Even though it’s a relatively low-risk tie for many folks, nerve injury is always possible. Do not push through warning signs of nerve damage such as sharp shooting pains, burning, numbness, tingling, or sensation of cold or heat
o Hip harness
o Most likely is the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN), which is vulnerable on the front of the hip and where the leg and hip join. The LFCN is sensory, and damage causes numbness on the lateral thigh.
o The obturator nerve is vulnerable in the groin/inner thigh.
o Chest harness
o Brachial plexus – damage can occur when the shoulder is forced down while the neck stretches away, when the arm is forced above/behind the head, or with upward pressure into the armpit.
o A chest harness can interfere with breathing, especially in a load-bearing face-down position and especially for someone with pre-existing breathing issues like asthma.
o Hands: tie the hand (rather than the wrist) to minimize risk to the wrist – the radial nerve is at risk near the base of the thumb.
o Feet: the peroneal nerve (various branches) can be injured by wraps around the ankle, where you might find shoe rims, or the arch of the foot. Symptoms include foot pain and sensory disturbance.
Other Risks
Fall – because this is a dynamic rig, subject your hard point(s) to extra careful scrutiny
Injury to joints (especially shoulders, and especially if they are prone to dislocation)
Rope marks
With a chest harness, can occur on the side where the chest harness attaches to the uplines and on the clavicles/shoulders
With a hip harness, can occur anywhere, but especially on the sides and iliac crests
There is no built-in “exit strategy” in an emergency (like the flier passing out). If you are suspending in private, consider rigging with a backup pulley system on the hard point so the flier can be slowly lowered to the floor if needed (there are other options, like tying a “standard” pulley upline to the hip harness if needed)
Self-suspenders: always have a spotter!
Equipment
Clothing
Sports bra, snug fitting top, or nude on top works best for most folks.
Snug leggings help to cut down on rope vs. skin friction and pinching
Avoid clothing with embellishments like buttons, zippers, jewels, etc.
Tying over bare skin will build some character
Rope
MFP/nylon (we recommend Chromaknotz or Twisted Syn) may be more comfortable/sustainable than natural fiber ropes for harnesses in this rig.
For up lines, we prefer ⅛” (3mm) AmSteel (never natural fiber rope)
⅛” AmSteel has a breaking strength of 2,500lbs (look for AS-78)
Available at boating supply stores, online or in person (WestMarine link here)
Bigger diameter amsteel (like ¼ inch) gets very stiff and hard to work with. We don’t recommend getting larger diameter than 1/8 inch.
~20 feet x 2 (or standard upline lengths)
Alternatively, other highly rated synthetics such as POSH would be acceptable upline choices.
Carabiners and spinners
Make sure they are rated, and get the “pear shaped” carabiners for your rope. Ex: Black Diamond Rocklock Screwgate Carabiner (can be found on Amazon).
Aerial supply stores can be a good “one stop shop” for hardware-type supplies
Spreader bar
Tips for fliers:
Consider warming up
Static stretching is not warm-up!
Examples: walk-down plank, seated V’s, “swimmer,” roll-ups
Pee right before you start getting tied! Even if you don’t think you need to!
See clothing advice under “supplies”
If you’re prone to motion sickness/nausea, consider locating the nearest trash can. Just in case. It may help to watch what you eat for a few hours before the scene – stick with bland food, minimal protein, nothing too acidic…mostly grains, bananas, cereal bars, etc. Don’t *not eat* and go into the suspension starving…but definitely don’t go in with a super full stomach.
Mobile suspensions may be a different type of “intense sensation” than you are used to processing! Give your body time to get used to the rig. As with all types of bondage, you’ll build a tolerance to the specific sensations over time and repeated exposure. Keep track of “good pain” vs. “bad pain,” communicate with your rigger and/or spotter, change position to change the pressure points, and do a self-check to see if the sensations are ones you can process (or can learn to process) or warning signs of damage.
Set-up
Width: 2 points are needed, set to be wider than the fliers’ hips/shoulders, up to about 3 feet apart – ideally about the distance from elbow to elbow when arms are at a 90° angle to the body. Secure each point independently.
It’s ideal to have a swivel and carabiner(s) at each point. If you don’t have two swivels, carabiners will work, but your lines will get tangled, and you’ll need to wind/unwind after flips.
Height: The bar/beam should be at least a foot above the fliers’ head when they’re standing up straight. About 2 feet is ideal.
BE SURE THE FLIER IS HIGH ENOUGH TO NOT HIT THEIR HEAD WHEN THEY INVERT!
It is nice to have a pulley system (also a good safety measure), or something to stand on (small step stool, apple box). Or start at floor level with the flier on tip-toe or in heels.
Depending on their center of balance, the flier may get "stuck" in certain positions
If the flier has a small butt and not much waist or narrow shoulders and not much breast tissue, secure the hip harness to the chest to help prevent them from sliding.
Procedure
“The Truck” (chest/hip/hands/foot variation):
You need 2 carabiners on each spinner (4 total)
Be sure all harnesses are tied with exceptionally good tension. If the tension is not good, the harnesses can slip – hip harnesses may slip down when flier is inverted, chest harnesses may slip up when upright.
Consider attaching the chest harness to the hip harness
Attach lines to the hips and feet
Flier should step up on the ladder/step, if you are using one
Attach the lines from the hip to the chest
Taut line hitch, followed by a tight stack of at least 3 half hitches.
Make sure the two sides are even/symmetrical
Attach the line from the feet to the hands – flier should hold their hands in front of their body and “pray.” The upside-down V formed by the hand/foot lines should be symmetrical with the V formed by the chest/hip lines, without twists.
Flier should “sit into” the rig. Often the easiest maneuver from here is a front flip.
Partners can explore ways to move the flier around in the rig – pulling the lines, pulling their body parts, manipulating their torso, etc!
The flier can also be secured in place (this makes a relatively comfy sex sling) by twisting all the lines together and securing them in a twisted configuration.
To come down, put the step stool back underneath. Once steady, unclip the hand/foot line, then unclip the hip/chest lines
If doing partnered suspension, communicate throughout this process!
It’s a good idea for the flier to sit or lie down after the uplines are detached.
“The Sports Car” (hip/hands/feet variation):
You need 2 carabiners from each spinner (4 total)
Attach the line to the hips and the feet
Flier should step up onto a ladder/step
You end up a lot closer to the ground in the hips only version
Attach the line from the hip, up through a carabineer, and back to the hip
Taut line hitch, followed by a tight stack of at least 3 half hitches
“The Motorcycle” (Hips-only variation):
Get rid of the hands and feet, attaching only the hip harness to the points!
Only one carabineer from each spinner is needed for this variation.
Folks experienced with body manipulation have the most independent mobility
Scene dynamics
This type of bondage can be about being physical and in your body rather than your head. It promotes body awareness and being in the moment.
Can be a performance, like dance – celebrating and exploring the changes in movement and capabilities. Exhibitionism and showing off on the flier’s side; admiring, appreciation, and/or objectification on the top’s side – and all of the above for self-suspenders!
Can be more sadistic
Run your partner through positions while they are in suspension. This can be anything from kink positions to yoga poses.
Impact play – whatever body part they present becomes the target
Rough body play and wrestling while the flier is in the air
Make it more immobilizing
Don’t give hand and foot lines, just start with the chest/hip and restrain the hands/feet in whatever pose strikes your fancy
Climbing on each other – consider having mats and/or spotters! This is fun but risky
