Hogtie Heaven (or Hell)
Although there are some complications associated with almost any form of bondage, there is one form of bondage that could be lethal. Many people enjoy using ropes during play and have placed their lovers in varying types of restraint. Some will include a form of restraint called the hog-tie that may pose a life-threatening problem.
More formally known as the Hobble restraint, this position involves placing a person on his or her stomach and tying the wrists together behind the back. The ankles are also tied together, the knees then flexed and the ankles are tied to the person’s wrists. On a number of occasions this form of restraint has resulted in the death of a restrained prisoner. Investigations into how and why people have died have shown that using the hog-tie restraint interferes with the person’s ability to breathe. We must admit that having a partner who is breathing is a lot more fun.
The cause of the person’s death is known as positional asphyxia or suffocation that occurs when the body is trapped in a position that prohibits them from breathing adequately. Think about the mechanics of breathing. Put your hand on your stomach and take a breath. You should notice that your stomach bulges out a little. The bulging is caused by the diaphragm moving the abdominal organs down so that the lungs can fill with air. When lying prone on a flat surface, there is no where for the organs to go, so the lungs cannot fill up with as much air as is needed. Now, place your hand on your chest and take another breath. You should feel your chest rise. As your lungs fill with air, your ribs move and the size of you chest increases. This allows air into the lungs. When lying face down with your arms pulled behind your back, your chest is expanded so it is unable to exhale the air that is inside your lungs. If you cannot exhale the used air or inhale fresh air, you begin to suffocate.
But, all is not lost. You can still use the hog-tie restraint with some restrictions. First, after tying your partner’s wrists and ankles, be sure to check for circulation and sensation in the hands, fingers, feet, and toes. If the fingers and toes are warm and there is no change in feeling, you are doing good. After attaching the ankles to the wrists, again check for circulation and sensation. If any sensation is lost or the hands or feet are cold to the touch, release the restraints.
Once your partner has been placed in the hog-tie restraint, turn him or her onto their side. Placing your partner on the left of right side prevents suffocation by allowing them to adequately breathe.