Bondage in the desert

Bondage at BRC is a little different than at home. Here are some of the key differences that you should keep in mind as you plan for the event.

The desert is brutal to people and equipment

All of the usual warnings about staying safe in the desert apply doubly to bondage situations. People who are naked are more susceptible to sunburn. People who are in physically-demanding positions are extra-prone to dehydration and heat exhaustion. Plan ahead, and remember to ensure that you and your bottom stay properly hydrated and protected.

The playa is covered with fine alkali dust. This will irritate skin (and especially feet) if it comes in contact with them, and it can also be a problem for gear. In particular, natural fiber rope and leather are both susceptible to damage from the dust. Take extra care to keep your gear away from the dust (especially your vertical lines!), and consider using mink oil or a similar product to protect your gear. You should plan on thoroughly washing or discarding any rope that you take to the playa.

There are some unique safety considerations that apply to the playa. Firstly, remember that although BRC has limited medical and medevac facilities, you are hours away from the nearest trauma center. Be even more safety-conscious than usual. Remember also that the playa has some unique hazards, including unpredictable dust storms with near-hurricane force winds. Plan for what you'll do if a dust storm strikes during the middle of a suspension.

BDSM at Burning Man

Finally, a word about culture. Most of the people you'll meet at BRC are unfamiliar with BDSM culture and dungeon etiquette. Burning Man is built around a culture of interactivity and radical self-expression, which can create potential problems when you're in scene. You should expect people to intrude on your scene, and perhaps to try and participate in it in ways that you may find inappropriate. The following strategies may help you manage the situation:

• Remember that you're in BRC, not in your local dungeon. The culture is different here, and you need to respect it and adapt to it.
• Plan your rigging to be robust if prodded or jostled by curious onlookers.
• Consider having a designated person for crowd-control and question-answering.