What do SSC and RACK mean?
An introduction by Affordable Leather Products
When you are starting out in the world of BDSM, there are some terms you may come across which are confusing to the newcomer, so here's a quick guide to a couple of them which we hope will help. Please note that this is not a comprehensive discussion of the subject, but it's a good starting place. There are other online resources which you can look up for more details.
What does SSC mean?
SSC stands for Safe, Sane and Consensual, three of the most important factors to bear in mind when you are starting to engage in BDSM play. Here's a short explanation of each:
Safe: This term is not simply a matter of "safer sex" (using protection to avoid STIs) but an overall recommendation to ensure that nothing goes wrong in your play.
Before engaging in a BDSM session, have a think about what you are going to do. If you are going to engage in Bondage using leather wrist and ankle cuffs, do you have a way of getting your subject out in a hurry if there's a problem? Consider, for example, if they're spread-eagled on a bed and suddenly get cramp (which is definitely not fun!) can you release their bindings in a matter of seconds? If you're using padlocks, do they all open with the same key? If they don't, it can take extra seconds to find which key opens which lock.
Another example is if you have someone secured in a standing position, eg using Door Restriction Bars. If they pass out, could you get them down to the ground safely when their weight is pulling on their cuffs making them difficult to undo?
Similarly, when engaged in Shibari (Japanese rope bondage), it may take several minutes to remove a complicated harness, time which you don't want to take.
In the above examples, having a pair of EMT Shears on hand to cut through cuffs or ropes may be the best option, it's far better to cut through an expensive piece of equipment than have to explain what happened when the ambulance arrives...!
If you engage in impact play, such as flogging, whipping etc and it gets very intense, what will you do if you draw blood? Not only may you need plasters to cover a cut, but you'll need to think about how you are going to clean the toy you were playing with.
A little consideration of these factors before a scene starts can save a whole lot of problems having to deal with an unforeseen complication when you're actually playing.
Sane: Some people enjoy their kinky play when they have had a couple of drinks or after engaging in recreational drug use. There is nothing wrong with this per se, however you should bear in mind that excessive consumption can have a detrimental effect on your judgement such that you could end up doing something which seems like a good idea at the time, but then turns out to be dangerous, at which point you are left trying to rectify the situation with adrenaline competing with your stimulants which is not an idea situation.
It's best to keep your consumption down to a level at which your judgement is not impaired or, if playing with multiple participants, have a designated safety person who will remain sober and whose job it is to keep an eye on everyone else just to ensure that nothing goes wrong or anyone gets over-enthusiastic.
Consensual: The most important aspect of BDSM play, since any activities which are undertaken without consent could be considered to be abuse and not conducive to a trusting and mutually satisfactory session.
As such, we recommend that BDSM sessions, especially with people you've never played before should be done with pre-arranged Safe Words and with Negotiation Documents or, at least, prior discussion of what will or will not be done during a scene to ensure that everyone enjoys what is going on.
What does RACK mean in BDSM play?
RACK stands for Risk Aware Consensual Kink. This was a term which came into use because some people felt that SSC was too prescriptive since some people are happy to play in a manner which involves a certain about of risk, provided it is done within acceptable limits.
It acknowledges that nothing can ever be 100% safe, but as long as the participants are aware of the risks that are involved and have agreed beforehand that they are acceptable, then the play can continue.
As with SSC, of course, the Consent term is the most important in that if any participant feels that the dangers are getting beyond the limits which they are happy with, then the BDSM session can be halted or the type of play changed to ensure that all involved feel safe.
It has been argued that Safe, Sane and Consensual could be considered to be the "minimum standard" of acceptability for ethically defensible play, suitable for those who are new to the scene, whereas RACK is a more "advanced" term for experienced practitioners, although where the line is between the two is a matter of personal feelings for all those involved.
Whatever you do, provided informed consent is sought and obtained from all involved, your play can avoid being considered to be abusive.
Once you have considered the above, feel free to enjoy your BDSM with leather bondage and discipline equipment or any other toys you might enjoy, confident that your scenes will be safe and fun.
Do you think we've covered everything here?
We hope we've provided you with some helpful information about SSC and RACK, but have we missed anything out?
Do you think that there's something we didn't cover at all (or in sufficient depth)? Or did we get it all right?
We would welcome your comments and observations below.
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