Consensual Enslavement
Restraints
Apprentice
Restraints are used to limit something, usually something physical such as movement or range of movement. There is also psychological effect to such a limitation. It can also be a command limiting something without the physical component. For the purposes of this tool, Bondage and restraints are not the same thing. Restraints only limit while bondage is rope work, which is tying fancy knots and designs on someone as well as tying someone up just for the pleasure of the one doing the tying, or for the enjoyment of the one being tied up, I consider to be bondage in this context. An example being Shibari. Valid arguments can be made that restraints are a type of bondage and that bondage is a type of restraint. I can make both of those. For this tool, it just means limiting something of someone either physically or psychologically. Although Bondage can also be a tool in certain situations.
One of the primary things a slave gives up is Control. This means control of their body and their actions and activities. Restraints are a tangible example and reminder of those limits. That can mean immobilizing or just limiting. It can be for a limited time or a long duration. Slaves can be kept in restraints for hours, days or even longer. Whether it can or should be done depends on too many factors to discuss here. That is a judgment call of the slave's Master or Owner. The restraints can be just wrists or ankles or both, or it can be a tether limiting the distance from a specific place that the slave can move. It can also include leashes or anything physical that puts a limit on the slave's movements.
Restraints can also be psychological and tie into other tools. Limitations on clothing or Nudity are psychological restraints. So are commands to stay in a specific place or location. They are also tools in and of themselves. Most tools do interact or have more than one effect or usage.
Why should we use restraints? The obvious reasons are the psychological ones of the slave knowing that they are controlled by someone else. Their limits are tangible and it is an ongoing reminder of that control. They work as a tool of Enslavement and Reinforcement. Also, restraints can increase feelings of mastery and control in the slave's Master. Some also find it arousing or sexy.
What are the reasons not to use restraints? They share similar concerns that bondage play and Shibari have built into them. There can be physical dangers such a restricted breathing, lack of circulation and the inability to remove the restraints quickly in an emergency. Depending on the type, location or tightness of the restraints, I believe the dangers are not as severe with restraints as with bondage. For example, if you handcuff someone's hands in front of them, the risk to their breathing is, for almost everyone, almost nonexistent. While something could happen, it is not probable. However, cutting off circulation is a serious concern with restraints. The tightness of the restraints can be a problem. Depending on what is used and how tight it is determines the risks. Using the handcuff example, if the cuffs are not as tight as possible, or leather or other types of cuffs are used, the circulation is less restricted and the problem can be mitigated even though it is not entirely removed. In those cases there does not need to be constant supervision as with some types of bondage but it is still a good idea to check the restraints and the person in the restraints repeatedly. Lastly how difficult is it for the slave to evacuate wherever they are if they are restrained? It is not a great difficulty to escape to safety in case of an emergency like fire while wearing handcuffs but if someone is tethered to a specific location or locked in a cage it would be. If there is a way for the person to get free, once again, the danger is somewhat mitigated but not removed.
My personal method of mitigating many of these concerns is to use Sport Cuffs for longer term restraints. They are Neoprene cuffs held on by Velcro. It is up to the slave to obey the command to not remove them except in an emergency and they can be literally worn for hours or even a few days without constriction danger. Also, the slave can remove them in a few seconds thus escape is immediately available in case of an emergency. True lockable restraints are much more psychologically effective as a tool but the risk/benefit analysis must be done to decide when it is best to use them, in what situations and for how long. That decision has to be made by each Master or Owner as no one else can make it for them.
Using the restraints tool is an excellent beginning to the enslavement process. This is especially true of keeping someone in them over longer periods of time when practical. They can be used later as reinforcement of enslavement or as punishment depending on how they are used in the in the beginning and how the slave responds to being restrained. Different forms of restraints can be used for different purposes and tools can always be re-purposed if you do so with intent and knowledge.
28 September 2018