Risk Assessment in Shibari - Dangerous Attitudes

Hello, in blog I aim to apply a index of several reckless attitudes that people may be vulnerable to. There is no shame in admitting vulnerability and recklessness, it is a part of being human and what matters most is that we have the discipline and self-awareness to prevent hurting people both mentally and physically. While someone experienced may have the preconceived notion that they are experienced enough that an accident is unlikely, intermediate experience may give the impression that you are of fully complete and aware judgement.

My favorite tool is the Aeronautical-Decision-Making (ADM) training model, while the direct content is of course different, flying and any form of bondage share the commonality of being inherently dangerous activities that rely on a careful balance of human judgement. I can attest to using and applying this model to good effect. Research into the ADM by the Federal Aviation Association (FAA) was extensive and directed to helping new pilots learn self-controlling techniques as to prevent dangerous attitudes. Overall, it teaches a means of decision making that can be applicable to any inherently dangerous activity.

How Experience Shapes Us

When we are beginners to everything, we might be more careful. As we build experience without incidents though, we may give ourselves more confidence. We assume that our judgement is good as it has so far not done us poorly.

We learn through several means, direct and indirect experience, and education. Many people learn differently. While experiencing a consequence of a poor decision may cause someone to not do it again, there is still the chance of not knowing how to interpret the experience in a healthy way. A close call might embolden and encourage the same dangerous behavior that led to the incident.

1. Accept no unnecessary risk: Shibari is not possible without risk and the FAA says the same for flying. While it is inherently dangerous, just as flying an unfamiliar plane into poor weather conditions is dangerous, would be using a new material of rope to try and suspend with would be risky compared to using one you are well familiar with.

2. Make risk decisions at the appropriate level: Risk should be ultimately determined by the pilot in command -- the one tying. Remember the rope is in your hands, and do not allow peer pressure be it from passengers, ATC -- the one being tied, to make risky choices for you. People being tied should also remember to not fall to peer pressure, but I emphasize the role of the one tying since sometimes the attitude of always prioritizing the safety of the one being tied can accidentally become prioritizing the pleasure.

3. Accept risk when benefits outweigh danger: Some degree of risk is always necessary, at some point you need to learn to fly that unfamiliar plane. It is best to learn it on a day with good weather. If you have the opportunity to be suspended, it is best to learn when you feel in good mental and physical health.

4. Include risk management in all Shibari: Because Shibari, and any bondage at that is inherently risky, you should never let any feelings overtake you into taking action before thought.

The different risk profiles of people

This is a good reminder that there is no one right way to do things, everyone has different levels of risk tolerance. Be it getting tied or tying, your risk profile should be respected. There is such things as healthy risk, but it should be a risk you are willing to take.

The following excerpt directly from the FAA Pilot Handbook is lengthy, but gives valuable insight to how comfort, judgement, and experience, all work together.

Therefore, risk is an assessment of the single or cumulative hazard facing a pilot; however, different pilots see hazards differently. For example, the pilot arrives to preflight and discovers a small, blunt type nick in the leading edge at the middle of the aircraft’s prop. Since the aircraft is parked on the tarmac, the nick was probably caused by another aircraft’s prop wash blowing some type of debris into the propeller. The nick is the hazard. The risk is prop fracture if the engine is operated with damage to a prop blade.

The seasoned pilot may see the nick as a low risk. He realizes this type of nick diffuses stress over a large area, is located in the strongest portion of the propeller, and based on experience; he does not expect it to propagate a crack that can lead to high risk problems. He does not cancel his flight.

The inexperienced pilot may see the nick as a high risk factor because he is unsure of the affect the nick will have on the operation of the prop, and he has been told that damage to a prop could cause a catastrophic failure. This assessment leads him to cancel his flight.

Therefore, elements or factors affecting individuals are different and profoundly impact decision-making. These are called human factors and can transcend education, experience, health, physiological aspects, etc.

Another example of risk assessment was the flight of a Beechcraft King Air equipped with deicing and anti-icing. The pilot deliberately flew into moderate to severe icing conditions while ducking under cloud cover. A careful pilot would assess the risk as high and beyond the capabilities of the aircraft, yet this pilot did the opposite. Why did the pilot take this action? Past experience prompted the action. The pilot had successfully flown into these conditions repeatedly although the icing conditions were previously forecast 2,000 feet above the surface. This time, the conditions were forecast from the surface. Since the pilot was in a hurry and failed to factor in the difference between the forecast altitudes, he assigned a low risk to the hazard and took a chance. He and the passengers died from a poor risk assessment of the situation.

This excerpt highlights how previous reckless behavior might embolden people to take risk without proper preparation. It also highlights how people new to something might take unnecessary precaution, I think this should be taken carefully though as being overly cautious is better.

IMSAFE Checklist

ILLNESS -- Am I sick? Especially important for respiratory matters.

MEDICATION -- Am I under the influence of substances that effect my sensory and motor ability? Especially important for any kind of muscle relaxers like painkillers and anything to do with the heart and blood.

STRESS -- Am I under psychological pressure? Do I have money, health, or family problems? Stress causes concentration and performance problems. While Shibari makes for great stress relief, inflicting your frustrations on someone else can be incredibly dangerous.

ALCOHOL -- Am I under the influence of recreational substance? Am I still within sound mind and reason? If you know yourself as making poor decisions under the influence, I especially recommend not combining Shibari.

FATIGUE -- Am I tired or inadequately rested? While not a total dealbreaker for Shibari, at least keep it in mind and act accordingly. This can look taking even more time, or acknowledging that you are in fact too tired to be tied or tie.

EMOTION -- Am I emotionally stable? Do I have any associations with certain smells, materials, wording, styles, that might trigger an emotional response? Do you have any bigotries that you may inflict on someone? Shibari is emotionally very powerful, just as peace can be amplified, so can trauma. Nobody is entitled to inflict their frustrations on others, know and assert your boundaries rather than putting someone in an uncomfortable or even dangerous position.

External Pressure

Some further pressures might influence how someone performs. A dangerous behavior is being too goal-oriented. This can cause danger in Shibari, as trying to achieve something to the detriment of either party can lead to injury. Do not feel obligated as though you might disappoint, it might help you to be upfront that it might not go to plan. Managing your own expectations is the most important part, what might been imperfect to the one tying might have been still an amazing experience for those watching and being tied. Both the one being tied and tying might feel the need to prove something. Remember to keep alternatives in mind, such flexibility alone is a demonstration of ability and knowledge that shows you care for everyone involved.

The five dangerous attitudes

ANTI-AUTHORITY: “Don’t tell me.” This attitude is found in people who do not like anyone telling them what to do. In the context of Shibari, this might look like someone saying they are uncomfortable with tying a certain tie, and then the other enacting on the attitude by saying to do it to them anyway. This can also look like doing something dangerous and being negative toward feedback. While it is good to question authority in instances where it might be in error, this is very nuanced and should be kept in mind at discretion.

IMPULSIVITY: “Do it quickly.” This is the attitude of people who frequently feel the need to do something, anything, immediately. They do not stop to think about what they are about to do, they do not select the best alternative, and rush head first into something. Especially in Shibari is it important to take your time, and be mindful not to rush anyone, even yourself.

INVULNERNABILITY: “It won’t happen to me.” Many people falsely believe that accidents happen to others, but never to them. They know accidents can happen, and they know that anyone can be affected. However, they never really feel or believe that they will be personally involved. This is especially important in the context of those being tied, be careful with who you trust to tie you, and remember that you are only human.

MACHO: “I can do it.” The type of attitude that is attempting to prove that they are better than others. People with this type of attitude will try to prove themselves by taking risks in order to impress others or even themselves. While this pattern is thought to be a masculine characteristic, feminine people are equally susceptible.

RESIGNATION: “What’s the use?” People who think with this attitude do not see themselves as being able to make a great deal of difference in what happens to them. When things go well, they might even think of it as being good luck. When things go badly, the person may feel that someone is out to get them or attribute it to bad luck. The person will leave the decision making to others. Sometimes, a person tying might even go along with unreasonable requests just to be a "nice guy." This might especially be dangerous for someone traditionally thought as a bottom as they choose and/or even enjoy the feeling of resignation. At the very least you must be careful about who you trust in such a vulnerable position and remember to speak up for yourself.

CARE / TEAM MODEL

The following model of thought is to analyze each hazard and the risk associated, the following example uses rope around the neck. I strongly emphasize to not use rope around the neck in any manner until thorough practice and study has been done on anywhere but the neck. The consequences of restrictions on the neck can be reckless and life ending.

Consequences -- Tying the neck might Asphyxiate someone

Alternatives -- Use a uncollapsible rope collar that has no chance of cinching

Reality -- Rope placed on the neck that collapses/cinches can quickly kill someone

External Pressures -- My partner really wants rope around their neck

After factoring these in mind, move to TEAM

Transfer -- Should this risk decision be transferred to someone else (e.g., consult people who have experience with said risk, and even people who do not to get a reality check)

Eliminate -- Is there a way to eliminate the hazard?

Accept -- Do the benefits of accepting risk outweigh the costs?

Mitigate -- What can you do to mitigate the risk?

Balancing likelihood and severity

As previously mentioned, Shibari is inherently risky and you'll find different magnitudes and likelihoods of something happening. While the ADM has a whole chart with plenty of examples and values, it does not hold much relevancy to Shibari. Such balances that come to mind is that the chance of a rope snapping under suspension that has been used several times before is highly unlikely, but the injury can be severe. The probability of skin markings are incredibly high, but their severity is negligible. Keeping these factors in mind is good practice.

Conclusions

After reading this blog post I hope this unusual application risk management has left some kind of impression on you. Although the purposes of it is different, its application is effective. Throughout other blog posts I will likely refer back to the contents of this blog.

Notes/References

You might find further reading of risk management interesting, some details were cut out for brevity, relevancy, and clarity.

• FAA Pilot Handbook

https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/04_phak_ch2.pdf