Venturing into the world of BDSM is never a simple task when your sole experience comes from porn sites and videos. You need more than just pictures to guide you along; especially when it comes to the use of things like clamps and clips.
In the wrong hands (pun intended), not only can clamps and clips be a not so fun experience, but they can also cause permanent damage to some very private parts. They can also lead to troubles with scarring and bruising where there should not be scarring and bruising. Even though these tools are meant to inflict a little harm, there’s a difference between injuring and pleasurable pain.
Another large concern for those that don’t know much about the human body and how it will respond to clamps and clips is the possible nerve damage that can occur when placed in the wrong areas. Unlike ropes that can be cut off, the tension of clips and clamps can often make them hard to remove – and even harder to remove before permanent damage is done. And when nerves are damaged, they don’t always regenerate, leaving the person with a loss of sensation in areas where they might want to have sensation.
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That said, there are ways to incorporate clamps and clips into your BDSM play without causing damage. It begins with learning about the basics of the body and how it will be affected by these kinds of tools.
- As with any BDSM or fetish activity start slow and light. You have a lifetime to be able to increase the sensations and pressure, but there is no forgetting once you have gone too hard too fast.
- Always keep a close eye on any part of the body that has been clipped or clamped. Clips and clamps restrict blood flow which is needed to keep organic human tissue alive and healthy. Tissue and nerve damage can occur, if these devices are left on too long. Any signs of blue/purple colour or cold to the touch, the device must be removed immediately!
- Good rule of thumb, never leave a clip or clamp on for longer than 15 minutes to make sure you don’t damage your partner. Everybody’s body is different so always start with a a minute or two and work your way up. If your partner is capable of handling 15 minutes make sure to remove the clips and clamps and allow that area to rest (blood flow to return) before reattaching in that area if you so choose. If you do reattach to the same area, try rotating the device 90 degrees to put pressure on a different part of the same area.
- Start by practicing on yourself first. Learn about the different sensations of different clips and clamps feel on different parts of your body. Once you have a good understanding of how things feel on you can you then move onto a willing partner.
- Clips and clamps should only be applied to one person and must sterilized before and after each use. Wearing protective gloves while applying clips or clamps, such as latex or nitrile is also a good hygienic and safety measure.
- The intense sensations come from the removal of the clips and clamps, not the attaching. This means if the device is already too painful for your submissive going on or they are calling out their safeword to have them removed it is already too late. Things will become ever more painful upon removal, therefore play on the lighter side of the submissive’s limit. With each attachment and for every new increase in pressure, watch and gauge your sub’s reaction. I have said it before and I will say it again, slow and careful is the only way to play.
- The longer the clip or clamp has been attached the more intense the sensations will be upon removal. The tighter the clip or clamp is upon the body the more intense the sensations will be upon removal.
- Play with only one or two clamps at a time when just introducing clip and clamp play. You have all the time in the world in future play scenes to have multiple clips and clamps at once.
- When first starting out or when a submissive is just starting out, use adjustable tension clips and clamps over static pressure. This way you can slowly increase or decrease the pressure as needed. Using a level that barely pinchs the skin. You can also use your finger to grab a hold of excess flesh to test the waters with your submissive. As they become accustomed to this feeling, you will want to move up in tension to learn about the range of pain they are comfortable playing with.
- The human body adapts to pain in gradual progressions. Therefore applying clips and clamps incrementally through a session with pauses and breaks help to allow the body time to process the pain to pleasure.
- Removal is when the sensations are at their most intense. Do not touch the skin immediately upon release, unless you have been given the green light by the partner. Blood will begin rushing back into the area, swelling that area rapidly, reigniting the nerves and magnifying any sensation. The longer and harder the clip or clamp has been applied the longer you should wait to touch it. This is where communication between the Dominant and submissive is essential to determine the timing that is necessary.
Places on the Body that can be clamped
(hint: stick with thicker pieces of flesh at first like the chest and back to get a submissive used to clip and clamp play)
- Chest
- Nipples – Nipple clamps should actually be attached to the aureola around the nipples
- Back
- Stomach
- Shoulders
- Arms
- Legs
- Buttcheeks
- Hands & Feet
More Sensitive Areas
- Cock & Balls – avoid the corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum (high never concentration)
- Labia – avoid the clitoris and clitoral hood (high nerve concentration)
- perineum
- earlobes and side of ears
- lips and tongue
- Navel
- Webbing between fingers and toes
- Inner thighs
Avoid areas that have a high concentration of nerves as they are more prone to damage by clips and clamps. This can include the corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum of the penis, the clitoris and clitoral hood and eyelids.
Making sure that these experience is enjoyable and not harmful is the responsibility of both partners.
You can help clamps and clips play along by binding the edges of the pieces with medical tape or electricians tape too to help spread the tension out and keep the edges from sinking into the skin.
But many people turn to clamps and clips play because you don’t need to head to a BDSM store or online shop to buy the appropriate equipment. A few clothespins from your backyard will do or some thicker binder clips from your office. Many of these kinds of household BDSM tools are not only more effective for the scene, but also cheap and easy to find.
The main thing you want to keep in mind with clamps and clips is that there are many places on the skin and the body where you can place them to increase the sensation of the skin without harming the person. For example, the inner thighs are really sensitive, but you can also grab a larger chunk of skin to lessen any chance of damage.
And for those slaves that like to have a few bruises, this will certainly provide that. Just be careful that the bruises aren’t too big or swollen as this can indicate internal bleeding – and that be an awkward conversation to have with an ER doctor. Though medical attention must sought immediately if internal bleeding is suspected.
Different symptoms can occur depending upon where the injury has occurred and what part of the body or organ has been affected.
Some Internal Bleeding Symptoms can be:
- sweaty skin
- Over body weakness
- Increased lethargy and sleepiness
- Large deeply purplish skin (ecchymosis) which is the result of blod pouring into skin and surrounding soft tissue
- Pain, swelling and tightness in the affected area
- Rapid heart rate
- low blood pressure
(This is not to be mistaken for medical advice. Always seek professional medical advice for any injuries)
The Most Difficult Part – Removal
Since the most painful part of clip and clamp play occurs when they come off, there are things a Dominant can do to ease the pain.
- Make sure that your hands are clean and dry. This will reduce the chances of the clip or clamps will slip upon removal thus extending the removal process and increasing the pain.
- Distracting your submissive with some gentle, tender caresses else where on their body to help decrease the pain upon release
- Help the submissive to relax through the pain. Having them lock eyes with yourself and instructing them to follow your breathing pattern as you take deep breaths can be very helpful for many submissives. Have them take a deep breath in, as the clip is being removed have them breath out. A beautiful bonding moment in a Dom/sub relationship.
- Take solid hold of the clip or clamp, moving as little as possible. Quickly and firmly squeeze the device to its completely open state before pulling removing. The more twisting, bumping or pulling while attached will cause pain. Removing the clips and clamps as smoothly as possible will limit the pain experienced for a newbie.
Switching things up in the dungeon is not only necessary for the training of your slave, but it’s also necessary for your own enjoyment. After all, if you’re not inspired by the training work you do with your slave, how will you maintain your interest in their progress? However, like everything to do with BDSM making sure you know how to safely increase your slave’s training is crucial.
Do you have any safety measures regarding clips and clamps play? Feel free to add your ideas and tips in the comments section below.
Keep your play fun and safe
By Master Bishop
The founder of the BDSM Training Academy. Master Bishop has been involved in the Dominant/submissive lifestyle for over 20 years. With a love for education both learning and teaching, Master Bishop has passed on his knowledge and experience to others entering into the BDSM lifestyle for over 15 years.
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