(guest article by RawKitty you can find the google doc here)
In order to decrease errors during surgery, the operating room adopted a Safety Time Out based on the Pre Flight Checklists pilots use before take off. Having a system in place to ensure you have everything you need before you’re in the middle of the action can help decrease stress and build trust in the people you’re tying with. When we tie we are handing over our lives to someone else. We might as well make sure we don’t forget something important (like eating) before we get into it!
For this to be an effective tool, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Consistency is key; if you don’t use this often you won’t be able to tell when it’s working or where it can be improved
- Try to incorporate this as a conversation tool, rather than a set of questions to mindlessly agree or disagree with
- Your answers may change day to day or over time. Similarly, you may find some questions are more important/ relevant for certain ties than others
- Try not to skip any questions, even if you already know the answer to them
- It can feel a bit silly at first to ask all of these questions, especially with someone you know, but having a consistent process will make it more likely that you prevent errors by skipping around the prompts
How it works:
- Save a copy of the following tables (or print out a copy for yourself) to customize as you wish.
- On the left hand side of each table, you will see who questions (or “challenges”) the other with every prompt in each category (physical, emotional, gear, and plan). You can go through the questions in any order you wish, but I recommend asking each question as you go down each column to keep your process consistent. If you find one question naturally comes before another, switch up the order! This checklist is for YOU and your tying partner!
- After each participant challenges each other on the “Physical” questions, move on to the “Emotional” questions. These categories are organized to start a conversation, rather than the top only asking the bottom about the last time they ate or how they are feeling today. All participants should have answers to these categories of questions.
- After the participants are on the same page physically and emotionally, the bottom can then challenge the top with the “Gear” prompts.
- After the participants have checked the gear they will be using, the top can then challenge the bottom with the “Plan” prompts.
- Feel free to add any other prompts you wish under the “Gear” or “Plan” categories (for example, if you are planning a photoshoot).
- Fill out and review each participants’ Emergency Plan. See guiding questions below to help you flesh out your Emergency Plan.
- This Pre Flight Checklist does not include additional risk factors that may affect the tie. Check back later for that update!
| Who Challenges | Physical | Emotional |
| All participants ask each other | Are you hungry/ thirsty? | How are you feeling today? |
| When was your last meal/ snack? | How do you want to feel today? | |
| Where is your energy level? How tired are you? | Playful vs Lab? Sensual vs Sexual? Objectification vs Personalized? | |
| Have you had a recent illness/ injury? | What will make this feel successful? | |
| Have you stretched/ warmed up? | How will we aftercare? | |
| How private will this tie be? | Do we want to play with exhibitionism? | |
| Have you had any mind altering substances today? | How confident are we feeling about this tie? |
| Who Challenges | Prompt | Response |
| Bottom to Top | Rope | Does it look worn? Do we have enough rope? Do we have dedicated uplines? What kind of rope are we using? |
| Accessories | Do you have carabiners? Do you have a plate/ ring? Where are your scissors? Do you have a backup cutter? | |
| Backups | Do you have two slings with different lengths? Do you have a blanket/ mat to sit on? Do you have a snack/ water for after? | |
| Other | ||
| Top to Bottom | Placement | Where do you like rope on your body? Where do you NOT want rope today? How tight do you like it? |
| Harnesses | What ties/ harnesses feel good? What is challenging? | |
| Position | What positions feel good? What positions are difficult? | |
| Plan | Do we have a sequence/ final shape in mind? Can we freestyle after accomplishing or is that when the tie ends? What is our emergency plan? What is a good emergency contact? Do you have insurance? | |
| Other |
Physical Emotional Gear Plan
Emergency Plan
Bottom
| In case things go south, I want… | |
| In case I pass out, I want… | |
| Outside parties welcome to step in to help? | Yes / No / Limited |
| Emergency Contact |
Top
| In case things go south, I want… | |
| In case I pass out, I want… | |
| Outside parties welcome to step in to help? | Yes / No / Limited |
| Emergency Contact |
Questions to guide your Emergency Plan…
- How do I define things “going south?” Are there signals in my body that “tell” me something is wrong?
- Do I want to stop and start over? Come down to the ground for a couple minutes? Try something else?
- How much help do you want someone outside of your tie to help? Do you prefer your top support your body (knowing this may lead to a slower untie from a third party)?
- When is it okay for a third party to step in? If it is a not an emergency, can someone step in to help you down faster? Are you confident in your rigger’s ability to get you down alone?
- Who is your emergency contact? Where do you keep this information in case you pass out? Do you have an envelope (to keep it protected) with this information/ your insurance in case we need to go to the hospital?
Questions, concerns, or suggestions? Please email [email protected] with “Pre Flight Checklist” in the subject line.