We never want our scene time to end. It’s fun and pleasant and lovely. When we play we have a chance that the blissful time we are experiencing will end well or may end suddenly from something unexpected. Yes, we do everything we can to avoid having to stop play but when sudden illness takes to hold the best thing is to stop and treat the problem.
There are illnesses that need immediate attention and others that could have been prevented with a little foresight. Hopefully, you can protect yourself so that play time remains enjoyable for everyone.
Non-Diabetic Hypoglycemia
This is a result of an insulin drop. You do not have to be diabetic to experience hypoglycemia. You can read about nondiabetic hypoglycemia at WebMD. It can happen when you haven’t had enough to eat or drink before a session. I encourage you to eat right and get enough to drink at least 30 minutes before playing. You can keep sports drinks on hand during play to make sure the bottom (not that bottom) is hydrated and well. No one should continue playing when suddenly feeling ill, it is a sign of distress.
To aid someone suffering from a bout of low blood sugar makes sure you keep simple sugars on hand, orange juice is a good suggestion. If not treated, the person could go into shock or become unconscious. Not exactly a good choice of play options, don’t you agree?
Signs of non-diabetic hypoglycemia are:
- paleness
- trembling
- perspiration
- a feeling of weakness
- rapid heartbeat
- hunger
- agitation
- difficulty concentrating
- irritability
- fatigue
- blurred vision
- temporary loss of consciousness
- convulsions
- coma.
If you suspect that you are experiencing hypoglycemia then have some quick absorbing sugar like orange juice or hard candy and see how you feel in a half hour. I recommend that you always keep some hard candy in your toy bag just in case.
Fainting
There are many causes of fainting but the more common one during play is immobility while standing. Especially challenging for people that are overweight or very tall, not aiding blood flow from the feet and legs back up to the brain can cause fainting.
Symptoms of impending faints are:
- flushing
- dizziness
- sudden weakness
- loss of consciousness
A common warning that people will pass around at munches is to never lock your knees. There are two reasons for this. First, it can hinder blood flow to the brain and second, if you do faint that instead of falling crumpled to the ground you can tip face forward causing even more injury.
Fainting is especially scary when a partial suspension is in play. All it takes is a faint to make it a full suspension and then a dead weight to lower to the ground. Always prepare for this possibility and have security measures in place on how to lower the person safely. If you are going to be the bottom in a suspension, ask how the Top plans to get you down in an emergency.
Nausea
Nausea isn’t usually caused by something in play but is a result of a stomach issue that onset while playing. Nausea can happen in cases of intense fear, so if you are playing with fear there is the possibility that it can cause acute nausea. Don’t ignore signals that you may throw up. Notify your Top immediately and stop play.
Headaches
Headache causes are varied so much that unless you know how they develop for you then it is always possible to get a headache. Some causes are decreased blood flow to the brain, stressful situations, fear, intense pain or prolonged immobilization.
Nerve Damage
This is often most common with inexperienced bondage practitioners or slippery bottoms. Wraps that compress nerve bundles can cause tingling, numbness, cold limbs and sometimes temporary or permanent nerve damage. Nerve damage is definitely not worth playing through. Once your limbs become uncomfortable, have your partner do the 2 squeezes rule. If your bottom can respond with two firm squeezes (or in the case of feet, firm presses back) then the nerve signals are still getting through fine. If there is any delay or weakened pressure you should remove the bondage, re-establish blood flow and try again later.
Shock
Some of the play that we engage in for BDSM play is dangerous and going into shock can happen if vital signs are not watched closely. The easiness that someone can slip into danger from shock is alarming and one of the reasons why an immobilized bottom should never be left alone.
Shock is when your body can’t get enough oxygen to the blood. Your body slowly shuts down and you could die if left untreated.
Symptoms of shock are:
- Rapid heart rate
- Short, rapid breathing
- Trembling and shivers
- paleness
- clammy skin
- confusion
- chest pains
- loss of consciousness
You should never try to self-treat someone who may be in shock. Call emergency personnel immediately.
I hope that I’ve been able to provide you with a basic list of sudden illnesses that can happen during play. While we try to keep these things from happening they are and always should be on our mind so that we may watch for them.
What other illnesses have you experienced during play?