Hand Cuff Safety

Forum rules and general information.
Locked
User avatar
JimBlackyKinbakuShan
*
Posts: 3
Joined: 12 Nov 2021, 05:19
Location: We're everywhere, but live at Bound Anna.Com

Hand Cuff Safety

Post by JimBlackyKinbakuShan »

******************************************************************************************************

DISCLAIMER

The following advice is probably neither complete nor is it a standalone guarantee to enable you to perform self-bondage with any kind of (metal) cuffs safely.
We, the authors of this as well as the forum moderators and admin, will not accept ANY liabilities or alike and we STRONGLY advise you to use your
own sense of safety along with these basic guidelines!



SHORT VERSION, EXCLUDING EXPLANATIONS

Please always follow these basic rules in handcuffs play:

• Always store your cuffs in double-locked state.
• Always use good quality double lock handcuffs, and ALWAYS double lock them.
• Check that the keys fit and the locks and swing through operate smoothly.
• Test all keys first. In 1 example : a handcuff key worked the handcuffs AND the ankle cuffs, but the key for the ankle cuffs did NOT open the handcuffs.
• Never use cuffs that do not move smoothly, and never use oil to repair cuffs that are binding.
• Have at least two back up keys accessible, and keep your emergency release attached to you.
• Always ensure that all key holes face your hands.
• Always put the cuffs on the hard part of the wrists or ankles, never in the groove of your wrist or ankle joint.
• NEVER overtighten the cuffs.
• Never secure yourself with the cuffs under tension.
Last edited by Shannon SteelSlave on 17 Jan 2024, 03:45, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: New discovery about cuff keys. Thanks to Kinbaku and Riddle. See Bullet point #4 above.
This Private Message box is not frequently checked by any of us, so if you want to contact, please PM Jimdini , Blacky , Kinbaku , Shannon SteelSlave .
User avatar
JimBlackyKinbakuShan
*
Posts: 3
Joined: 12 Nov 2021, 05:19
Location: We're everywhere, but live at Bound Anna.Com

Re: Hand Cuff Safety

Post by JimBlackyKinbakuShan »

Hi everyone. :hi:
This is Jimdini, Blacky, Kinbaku and Shannon SteelSlave, members of BoundAnna.com and bondage enthusiasts.
We very much understand the temptation to lock yourself up with little or no planning (been there, done that, was stupid!), and that testing takes away some of the thrill of using handcuffs.
But we encourage you to listen to our guidelines, as (hand-)cuff play can quickly go from
exciting to regretful. After all, handcuffs were designed to quickly and easily restrain prisoners, no?
When used in self bondage (or partnered bondage), this very aspect of quick and easy makes it
very well possible to bypass instincts such as safety and comfort, and thereby create an unintended
predicament or worse. That is why we worked together to prepare this article we hope you will find
helpful and informative.

Now, a little more helpful advice and a few scenarios to avoid, as they can lead to unintended entrapment or serious immediate health risk:

• Practice attaching and removing cuffs before using them in any scenario. Cuff one wrist, then use the release key. See how much torque you need to apply to the key when operating the release.
Note how you usually have to twist the wrist or let gravity help the shackle fall away. Keep this in mind when you set up your scenario and make sure nothing interferes with these physics.
Test the double lock feature, too! When activated, the shackle should not be able to tighten or loosen until deactivated.
This mechanism can literally save your life, so please, use it! It is VERY easy to accidentally put pressure on the cuff during the session.
This will result in (mild) discomfort if the cuff can't be tightened any further. It can (and quite likely will) end in severe injury if it can get tighter.
Please keep in mind that there are a LOT of nerves, sinews, blood vessels etc. under the cuffs!

• Always close the handcuffs after use, so that you have to open them before your session
and so you are sure that you have the correct key.
You will thereby also automatically make sure that the cuffs are working properly, as you won't likely be able to open them, if they don't unlock properly.
Should you encounter any unusual problems, please better be safe that sorry and don't use those cuffs!

• Storing your handcuffs in a dry, dehumidified container will help ensure they are ready
for next time.

• Have a phone, with Emergency Medical Service set in single press dialing, available in
case the cuffs do jam. Also make sure you can reach it while being tied up!
It is surprisingly easy to forget this when getting into your bondage scenario(again speaking from experience! :facepalm: :oops: .

• If possible, arrange for a human backup to check on you (when your session should have finished).
If you are among the lucky who have a partner that shares or supports their kink:
Don't overestimate the time you can spend in metal bondage. It is unforgiving and can become VERY uncomfortable with ease.
So if you plan on tying yourself up for your partner to find you later on: Go for a shorter session than you normally would and slowly increase from there.

• NEVER attach ropes, collars or chains around the neck to cuffs that are locked behind your
back (Pressure on the carotid or jugular can cause unconsciousness or DEATH after as little
as 10 seconds). If you can avoid it, it is best to also not generate any pressure on the back of your neck.
If you absolutely feel you have to have an anchorpoint for your cuffs: Use a chest harness instead of tying anything around your neck.

• Don't use handcuffs to attach yourself to chains, rails or immovable objects, especially not above your
head (if you fall or hang by your wrists you can cause serious permanent damage).
Basically you would encounter the same problems that you would cause by overtightening the cuffs (willingly or by applying pressure to a cuff that's not double-locked).

• Avoid the use of thumb cuffs on your thumbs in self bondage. Unlocking these yourself usually requires the use of your teeth to operate the key.
It is easy to forget this if you inadvertently add any gag to your session.
Thumb cuffs are tricky to escape when used by themselves, let alone when combined with other bonds. Cuffing your thumbs behind your back is generally a no-win situation.
Additionally they are very easily overtightened!

• Don't use sensory deprivation hoods, etc. (These should never be used unsupervised anyways).
It is hard enough to get a key into the lock when seeing both the cuffs and the key.
If you happened to lock the cuff behind your back you'll hardly be able to see it, anyways.

• Last, but not least, obviously please also observe all of the safety advice that applies to all forms and devices of self bondage.


Hang in, there's more to come for those interested in the various types of cuffs, their inner working and so forth.

For those leaving us here, though: Thanks for your time and interest. We sincerely hope to not have added to your knowledge, as that would mean you probably were on the safe(r) side all along.
If, however, we have added to your knowledge or maybe changed your routines, thanks for considering our thoughts!

Humbly yours

Jimdini, Blacky, Kinbaku, and Shannon SteelSlave
This Private Message box is not frequently checked by any of us, so if you want to contact, please PM Jimdini , Blacky , Kinbaku , Shannon SteelSlave .
User avatar
JimBlackyKinbakuShan
*
Posts: 3
Joined: 12 Nov 2021, 05:19
Location: We're everywhere, but live at Bound Anna.Com

Re: Hand Cuff Safety

Post by JimBlackyKinbakuShan »

As promised above, here are some basic handcuff designs and their names:
Chained Cuffs (Most common)
Chained Cuffs (Most common)
chained cuffs.jpg (1.89 KiB) Viewed 106059 times
Hinged Cuffs
Hinged Cuffs
hinged cuffs.jpg (1.96 KiB) Viewed 106059 times
Thumb Cuffs
Thumb Cuffs
thumb cuffs.jpg (2.43 KiB) Viewed 106059 times


Here is a look of the inner workings of a double locking shackle:
Deluxe-Training-Handcuff-Top__83656.1572016227.jpg
Red - Rachet Bar/Pawl. The teeth on the pawl engage with the teeth on the swinging arm to lock handcuffs.
When double locked, the pawl is locked in place to avoid overtightening and prevent shimming.

Blue- Double lock bar. When engaged, the double lock bar prevents the handcuffs from ratcheting tighter. Also, the handcuffs cannot be shimmed when double locked.

Yellow - Spring. The handcuff spring keeps the pawl engaged with the swinging arm. It also prevents the double lock from disengaging when pushed into the second dimple.
When pushed into the first dimple the handcuffs can be tightened, but not loosened.

Stay safe, have fun.
This Private Message box is not frequently checked by any of us, so if you want to contact, please PM Jimdini , Blacky , Kinbaku , Shannon SteelSlave .
Locked