7 Must-Haves for Your First Rope Night
Discover the tools, tips, and secrets to make your first Shibari experience safe, sensual, and unforgettable.
Download the Guide Now
Short answer? It can be.
Long answer? It depends on how well you understand the risks and what you do to manage them.
Shibari, or Japanese rope bondage, is beautiful, intimate, and powerful - but it’s also not without its hazards. We're talking about actual rope on actual bodies. That means skin, circulation, nerves, and the fact that none of us are immune to rope burn or the occasional "oops, that went numb."
It’s crucial to approach Shibari with a safety-first mindset. Even when done by experts, there is always some risk of injury (just as with any physical activity). Knowing the risks and how to mitigate them is essential. In fact, safety is such a priority in the rope community that extensive guidelines have been developed to educate both tops and bottoms
So, if you're here wondering “is Shibari safe?”, you're already on the right track. Responsible curiosity is hot - let’s find out more about it!
Even when done by experienced riggers, rope bondage always carries some level of risk. Bruises and rope marks? Pretty standard. Nerve compression or cutting off circulation? That’s where things get more serious.
Most of the scary stuff happens when people jump into advanced ties without knowing what they’re doing - or when they skip the important conversations beforehand.
Before a single knot is tied, talk with your partner. Yes, really. Discuss limits, health stuff (like injuries or circulation issues), and agree on a safe word or non-verbal signal. Negotiate what is okay and what is off-limits. Think of it as the kinky version of reading the instruction manual - only more fun and way more important.
During the scene, keep the communication going. A rope bottom (the person being tied) should never feel weird about saying, “Hey, my fingers are tingling.” And Riggers, check in regularly. A “How’s that feel?” now and then goes a long way, because nerve issues aren’t visible from the outside. Don’t assume silence means pleasure — it might mean numbness. https://medium.com/@rileyham/things-i-want-beginning-rope-bottoms-to-know-7d54b15d7138
Never put rope around the neck or exert pressure that could constrict breathing/blood flow (unless you explicitly know advanced techniques and consent to edge-play – not for beginners!). Be cautious with ties around joints and nerves.
For example, tying arms can put the radial nerve (running along the upper arm into the forearm) at risk – tingling or numbness in the hand is a red flag to adjust or untie immediately.
A general rule: if it tingles or goes numb, free it up! Also avoid placing ropes directly on the front of shoulders or sides of knees/elbows where nerves are superficial.
Always Have a Safety Cutter at Hand.
If you remember nothing else from this blog, remember this: have something nearby that can cut through rope immediately. EMT shears or a rescue hook are best. This is non-negotiable. If something goes wrong – say a knot jams or the person being tied panics – you need to free them fast.
Ask your rigger where their safety cutter is before you begin; if they don’t have one, do not proceed. Being willing to cut ropes in an emergency is part of a rigger’s duty of care (and any good rigger will cut a rope without hesitation to prevent harm – your partner’s safety is worth more than a piece of rope!).
Check your model's fingers and limbs during ties – color changes or coldness can indicate poor circulation. The rope bottom can periodically wiggle their fingers/toes to keep blood flowing.
As a model, if your hands or feet start turning blue or white, or if you feel “pins and needles” that don’t quickly adjust, speak up so the rigger can loosen or adjust the rope. Riggers should look out for signs like swelling or the bottom going unusually quiet (they could be in distress). When in doubt, untie or cut – it’s better to restart a tie safely than push through discomfort.
Suspension shibari looks cool on Instagram, but it’s not where you should start. Most rope injuries happen when people get overly ambitious and under-educated.
A big safety boost is simply not rushing into advanced ties. Most rope injuries happen when people attempt things beyond their skill level Full suspensions (hanging a person in ropes) carry high risk and require mastery of technique – do NOT jump into suspension without extensive practice and training(more on this later).
Start with floor work and simple ties until you’re very comfortable. Also, practice placing ropes correctly (for example, wrapping above the elbows rather than on the elbows to avoid nerve compression).
This might sound obvious, but it’s worth stating – if you tie someone up, stay with them and stay alert.
Bathroom break? Check the ropes first.
Quick phone call? Untie.
“Be right back?” Nope - not without undoing the scene.
Don’t wander off, and certainly don’t leave them alone (even for a few minutes) because a problem can escalate quickly if no one is there to help. It’s not just about risk - it’s about respect.
Once the ropes are off, the scene isn’t over. Both partners should allocate time for aftercare. Your partner might need cuddles, hydration, reassurance, or just some quiet time.
Keep an eye on how the tied person feels for a little while – sometimes numbness or dizziness can occur even after ropes are off. A next-day check-in is also a good practice to ensure no lasting issues.
By following these precautions, you greatly reduce the risks when practicing shibari. Shibari is edge play - it dances on the line between risk and trust. It’s not completely safe (nothing fun ever is), but it can absolutely be practiced in a way that’s mindful, consensual, and safe-r.
Read guides. Take classes. Talk openly. Buy good rope. Check for circulation. Cut the rope if needed. And above all? Respect each other’s bodies and boundaries.
Because safety isn’t the opposite of sexy - it’s the foundation of it.
To start your journey safely you can always book a 1:1 class with Anastasia (Voudou Ropes) at anastasia@voudouropes.com , or try one of our courses.
Best luck with rope!
