We've noticed of late that a lot more pregnant women are playing at the Citadel- which we think is great! This article is intended to offer some information on playing safely during a healthy pregnancy, and is intended for both the players and for the information of DMs and spectators. The first author is a registered nurse and also has quite a bit of personal experience with pregnancy and BDSM- Chey had a baby 10 months ago, and was at a dungeon party two hours before she went into labor! In a healthy pregnancy, there shouldn't be any problems with most BDSM play (light/moderate flogging on upper back and ass, wax play, other sensation play, etc). Note that any sort of high-risk pregnancy (pre-eclampsia, incompetent cervix, gestational diabetes, etc) is beyond the scope of this article; please ask your doctor about specific activity limitations in those cases.
Pain/Sensation PlayMany women find that their skin is more sensitive during pregnancy, so a pregnant bottom may find she doesn't have the pain tolerance she once did. I would of course stay away from anything to do with impact on the belly- not a major part of most people's BDSM repertoire anyway and therefore probably fairly easy to avoid. Anecdotally, I have a friend who has been a high-risk Labor and Delivery (L&D) nurse for decades, and she has never seen someone come in following a fall (even fairly dramatic falls) and loose a pregnancy or have any damage to the fetus. A pregnant woman's body is designed to protect the developing baby- any injury would have to be severe enough to seriously injure the woman before the fetus would be harmed. The walls of the uterus are thick, strong muscle, and the baby is floating in a cushion of amniotic fluid. However, during the third trimester, a direct blow to the abdomen can cause the placenta to separate from the uterus, causing a life-threatening emergency for both the mother and the baby. Better to just consider the abdomen a no-go area for any sort of impact play for the duration of the pregnancy.
Of course there are the boobs- oh, how the boobs change during the pregnancy/birth/breastfeeding process! Often one of the first symptoms of pregnancy can be extreme sensitivity in the nipples. So, you may find yourself retiring the clover clamps for the duration of the pregnancy- and probably far longer, if the woman will be breastfeeding. Somewhere in the third trimester, the milk factory starts cooking- breasts start secreting colostrums, or pre-milk, a clear yellow-ish sweet-tasting liquid. Around that time, I started warning my partners that "those work" when they would go to suck on my breasts- best to advise someone that they are about to encounter bodily fluids they may not have expected! My baby is almost ten months old, and I'm still not into nipple play like I was before the pregnancy. It's not that "they belong to baby" or anything like that. The issue is that I'm still breastfeeding him, so the boobs are getting messed with for at least a couple hours a day. When I get down to having sex or playing around, the last thing I want is for them to be messed with some more!
Blood and Blood ClotsBlood volume also increases during pregnancy. While the number of red blood cells (responsible for carrying nutrients and oxygen) goes up during pregnancy, the volume of plasma (the liquid component of blood) goes up even more. Because of this, pregnant women have a functional type of anemia (low blood count). Furthermore, hormonal changes tend to lead to decreases in average blood pressure with the lowest blood pressures usually occurring around 28 weeks gestation. Pregnant women are therefore at increased risk of significant blood pressure drops which may lead to dizziness and fainting; BDSM play and/or dehydration may exacerbate this.
The changes in blood volume and flow may also affect the position a woman may be in comfortably. In the later stages of pregnancy the large uterus may put pressure on the inferior vena cava (the large vein that carries blood back to the heart from the legs). In the supine (on the back) position this decrease in blood return can become significant, leading to greater risk of dizziness or discomfort during prolonged periods of lying on the back.
Pregnant women are prone to blood clots; prolonged periods of immobility can cause blood to pool and make clots more likely to form. Therefore, while light bondage with some "wiggle room" is perfectly OK during pregnancy, extreme or immobilizing bondage should be avoided.
Breathing IssuesThere are a multitude of changes that occur to the upper respiratory tract during pregnancy, all designed to improve oxygen flow to meet the needs of both mother and fetus. Pregnant women have a decreased ability to adapt to low oxygen levels and therefore will become distressed much more rapidly during breath play. Because of potential risks to both mother and fetus it is probably wisest to avoid breath play altogether during pregnancy.
Electrical/Fire PlayThere isn't a whole lot of data on electrical safety in pregnancy. In the medical literature relating to pregnant women, electrical injuries typically produce damage due to burns, electrical damage to the heart, or muscle injuries due to the spasms that go along with electrical current exposure. The standard advisories for playing safely with electricity (avoid application to the face or across the heart) apply to pregnant women. Additionally, the amniotic fluid in which the fetus lies conducts electricity well. Because the fetus is essentially surrounded by a conducting medium, it is advisable to avoid pelvic or abdominal application of electricity during pregnancy. Using your violet wand or TENS unit on the extremities is probably still okay but the fetus is very sensitive to electrical current and should therefore not be exposed to current.
Burns can be very serious injuries in pregnant women, although typically a large surface area needs to be affected before major consequences occur. The general safety rules (short duration of exposure, accessibility of fire extinguishers/blankets, etc) regarding fire-play should be followed while pregnant.
Penetration/Sex During PregnancyVaginal and anal penetration during pregnancy is generally safe up until the water breaks (if there is any doubt, ask your doctor!). I bottomed in a fisting scene when I was 8 months pregnant. I did quite a bit of research first, including asking my L&D RN friend for advice, and the consensus was that as long as my cervix was still closed and waters not broken, fisting was no problem at all. As a side note, I didn't require any sutures after my delivery (didn't tear at all!) so maybe fisting is a good pre-game warm-up, as it were? It's a bit similar to the perineal massage that OBs have started recommending.
Social IssuesIf you'll be playing in a public dungeon, keep in mind that seeing a pregnant woman in scene does tend to throw the Dungeon Monitors (DMs) for a loop- many of them are completely flummoxed. So, if you're going to do a public scene while pregnant, I'd recommend checking in with the DM and/or host first (always a good idea anyway), describing what you anticipate the scene will be and why it's safe for you to do it. That way you can avoid scaring them and potentially having your scene interrupted by a concerned DM.
For the pregnant top, the first adjustment you may have to make is in your wardrobe. Due to changes in the back and hips during pregnancy, high heels are not recommended during pregnancy. Of course this applies to bottoms, as well- those stilettos will have to go into storage for a bit! Additionally, many women find they tire very easily during pregnancy, especially in the first and third trimesters. So you may want to plan scenes somewhat less ambitious than your usual triathlon of pain. This would be a very good time for pregnant tops to break out the lazy Dom toys- things like TENS or other electrical units, needles, sounds, clothes pins, rubber bands- anything you can do standing still, or even sitting down!
Emotionally, pregnancy can be dangerous terrain. The potent hormone cocktail necessary to maintain the pregnancy and support the growing fetus can cause moodiness, crying spells, feelings of protectiveness (both of the baby and one's mate), anxiety, vulnerability, etc. While humiliation play may have previously been very erotic, a pregnant woman may find that it now just reduces her to tears, and not in a good way. Of course this is going to be very individual, and something that will require constant communication and ongoing negotiation. For myself, I got more toppy throughout my pregnancy- my husband called it going into "Mama-Lion" mode.
ConclusionsAbove all, if this is your first, enjoy the ability to go out and play without having to worry about all the logistics (babysitter, having enough milk in the fridge, etc) that have to be dealt with after the baby's born! Your life won't be over- it will just be more complicated and much busier.
REFERENCE:Muench MV, Canterino JC. Trauma in pregnancy. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America 2007;34:555-83.
Article by Stefanos and Chey
Modified from materials used to teach Remedial Ropes
Getting started in BDSM can be a daunting undertaking, and building a toybag is an intimidating part of that task. One of the beautiful things about rope as part of a toybag is its multi-functionality. A leather cuff can pretty much only be used as a cuff (OK, you can smack someone with it, but probably not to very good effect and anyway you get my point). However, a 15-foot length of rope has as many uses as your kinky mind can imagine! Thus, learning a little basic bondage and having a good rope collection can get you far. This article will discuss building a rope kit, from picking the type of rope to caring for and storing your rope.
There are pros and cons to each of the widely used types of rope. Which type you choose is basically just a matter of personal preference, and weighing what are the most important considerations to you. Experiment with the different types before you invest in lots of one material!
The mainstream choices for rope types are nylon/MFP vs. hemp rope. There are other options, such as cotton, climbing rope, bungee cords, etc, but these tend to be less common as their disadvantages outweigh their advantages for most people.
Nylon rope is what we prefer to use; it is widely available and generally cheap. Nylon is a great general-purpose rope: it's strong, it wears well, it is resistant to most chemicals, oils and lubricants, it's relatively comfortable, and it’s pretty! Nylon rope can be bought on a roll at Home Depot for about $.21 a foot- just be careful not to buy the diamond braid in bags, as this is difficult to work with. An almost identical product to nylon is MFP (multi filament polypropylene)- this type of rope is sold by RainbowRopes.com and other vendors, and comes in pretty colors. Hemp rope is the main alternative to nylon- the rougher surface means it holds knots better than nylon/MFP, however because of this better “grip” it also has a faster burn rate, meaning it can hurt when slid across the skin. Some people get off on the unique smell of hemp, others like the texture and “authentic Japanese bondage” feel. Hemp tends to be quite a bit more expensive than nylon and is not as readily available, also it is MUCH harder to care for (see section on care of ropes below).
Others types of materials used for bondage include cotton rope (pick the kind without a core; with a core it will be too inflexible and difficult to use), climbing rope (sometimes too thick for bondage and difficult to tie intricate knots in, but can be good for suspension), silk scarves, stretchy materials like bungee cords (not recommended; if they are tight enough to be inescapable, they are usually cutting off circulation), silk rope (a specialty product and wonderful, but VERY expensive), etc.
All these types of rope come in various thicknesses, also referred to as the “gauge” of the rope. We think ¼-3/8 inch gauge is the easiest to work with. ½ inch or more may be useful for simple bondage without intricate knots. With thinner ropes you must make more wrapping turns to spread the load across the skin; remember that pressure spread across only ¼ inch of skin will cut off circulation much faster than the same pressure spread across 1 inch (4 wrapping turns with ¼ inch rope) of skin.
How long a piece of rope you need will depend on what type of tie you are doing and the size of your bottom. A good basic, beginner kit would include one 40-50 foot length for body harnesses (on the longer side for a bigger bottom or more intricate harnesses), two 20-25 foot lengths for chest ties and general use, and four 10-15 foot lengths for wrist and ankle ties.
If you buy hemp, likely you will be purchasing it pre-cut and with the ends sealed off. If not, it’s a time consuming and specialized task. Sealing the ends of nylon rope (to prevent fraying) can be done multiple ways and is quite easy- you can tape the ends (cloth medical tape works well) melt the ends with a candle (don’t try this with hemp or cotton rope, you will look pretty silly), or dip the ends in fingernail polish or tool dip. This can also be a chance to color-code your rope according to whatever arcane system seems best to you- red for 10 foot lengths and blue for 25 feet, different colors for different bottoms (so you don’t have to worry about washing it every time it comes into contact with pink parts), different colors for each day of the week, or whatever.
Care of nylon/MFP rope is super easy- just place coiled or woven ropes in a mesh laundry bag (failing that, a pillowcase tied shut will do the trick) and run in the washer gentle cycle using warm water and your usual detergent. If you need to sanitize your rope, you can add a half a cup of color-safe bleach to the water; be sure to add it in such a way as to not splatter your colored rope. Then put the bag-o-rope into the dryer. Use a fabric softener dryer sheet. Set the dryer to the 'air fluff - no heat' setting and let the rope tumble away until dry. Hemp is much more difficult to clean and may never be the same after you wash it. Consult with the vendor you got the rope from. In general, the washing-machine procedure described above will work- we’ve also heard of people using the top rack of a dishwasher. Drying and re-conditioning is the hard part- you need to hang rope in loose coils to dry for about 4 days. Once dry, re-oil with a small quantity of Baku or mink oil and let dry for two more days before use. This process is why many people “dedicate” pieces of hemp rope to a specific bottom- washing can be minimized if you know the rope ain’t going nowhere it hasn’t gone before.
Store rope coiled or woven (kinks and twists can cause undue wear), and in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Never store it outside, or even in a garage. Fluctuations in temperature and humidity will weaken it and may cause rot.
In addition to the rope, you will want a pair of safety (EMT) sheers. These can be purchased online or at Walgreens. Knives and regular scissors are a poor choice for getting someone out of bondage in a hurry; EMT sheers will allow you to safely and efficiently set your bottom free. Whenever you are tying someone up, keep them close- in a public dungeon, the DM will be reassured if they see a pair sticking out of your pocket or otherwise close at hand.
Hopefully this primer will help you in building a versatile and individualized rope kit! Now that you’ve got your bottom all tied down and unable to escape, you just need to get some implements to torment/pleasure them, and your toybag will be complete!
A Medical Perspective on Cutting
By Chey, Emergency Room RN
There is nothing quite like the sensation of cutting- there's the fear, as you see and feel a blade against your skin, the sharp, immediate pain as the cut is made, the slow tingle and wet feeling of blood dripping down your skin... *ahem* where was I? Ah, the safety and health aspects of cutting. In this article I will discuss negotiating a cutting scene, the supplies needed to do a cutting, and caring for your cutting to minimize the chance of scars. The actual technique involved is beyond the scope of this article- there are many fine classes offered on cutting!
The most important point to realize when you go to negotiate a cutting scene is that no matter how careful you are, any cutting has the potential to scar. It is best to assume that a scar will result, and not undergo the cutting if that is unacceptable. I had an acquaintance who was an orthodox Jew- as a new bottom, she underwent a cutting scene which the top assured her would heal without any scars. She did in fact scar, which is a huge problem for her in terms of faith, as according to orthodox Jewish tradition one cannot be buried in a traditional cemetery if one has any unnatural markings (such as tattoos, brands, etc).
Another important negotiation point is WHAT the cutting will be. Carving some abstract lines is very different from the top carving his or her initials, for example. If the bottom in question has another relationship, it may be appropriate for the significant other to be consulted as well- a number of tops I know would be very displeased to find that someone else had scarred their bottom (much less with their initials!).
Health factors are important to consider when negotiating a cutting. It is critical to know if the bottom has poor wound healing as a result of diabetes, poor peripheral circulation, or being on certain medications (prednisone, immunosuppressants, etc), for example. If the bottom is on potent blood thinners such as coumadin or lovenox I would be very hesitant to do a cutting scene. I f the bottom has taken aspirin or ibuprofen (both mild blood thinners) within the past week this would be good to be aware of for preparation purposes. These drugs interfere with platelet function and for that reason pressure must be held for a longer duration to ensure proper blood clotting after the scene is over . T he top should ALWAYS use standard precautions (i.e. gloves) to protect themselves from exposure to the bottom's blood ; the bottom should also let the top know if they have any blood-borne diseases (i.e. HIV, hepatatitis, etc).
There is a rather long list of supplies needed to do a cutting. Of course there is the cutting implement- you are best off with a sterile, single-use scalpel. These are available online, and there are many different styles (rounded ends, pointed ends, curved, straight, etc). N o one kind is best for everyone or for every scene. It's a good idea to order a few different ones, practice with them (mangos make excellent test subjects) and pick a favorite. You will also need gloves (preferably sterile), paper towels, something to cover the surface under your bottom with (garbage bags or disposable plastic tablecloths work well), some sterile 2x2 or 4x4 pads (available at any pharmacy), antibiotic ointment, and medical tape.
And of course, you will also need something to clean the bottom's skin! This is where it gets interesting. While alcohol is a very good at killing bacteria and viruses (over 99.9% effective) it may not be as effective against bacterial spores (tough, resistant shells that protect some types of bacteria) and is not considered adequate for surgical purposes. In the interest of safety it is best to hold cutting to this same standard and NOT use a simple alcohol prep. Technicare®, which is widely available online and at some drug stores, is an excellent germ killer that is used in surgery and is a good option. Betadine is another acceptable surgical prep; however, while it's a great germ killer it is a poor choice for our purposes- it leaves an orange stain on the skin and can contribute to scarring. Additionally, betadine contains iodine and should not be used on people who are allergic to iodine or shellfish. One final option is chlorhexidine/alcohol mixes- this is used for IV starts at many hospitals, and is more effective than alcohol. It is simple to use and goes on clear. Ideally, the prep solution should be applied several minutes before cutting begins. This waiting time is necessary to ensure maximum effectiveness at killing skin surface bacteria. Be sure to check the label for precise instructions; if there are none I recommend waiting at least 5 minutes.
Keep in mind that if anything that is not sterile comes into contact with the prepped area of the bottom’s skin the field is considered contaminated. For this reason, it is preferable to use sterile gloves and a sterile blade; if at all possible a sterile towel may be used as a place to rest implements during the scene.
Attention should be paid to the depth of cutting. Cutting is best done over fleshy areas where the skin layers are relatively thick and the chance of penetrating to deep tissues is less. Cutting should not be done over boney prominences as this increases the risk of going to deep with the blade.
After the cutting is done and bleeding ceases (apply pressure with a gauze pad to stop bleeding if necessary ), it can be very entertaining (though not strictly required) to clean the cuts with alcohol- oh, the sting! After cleaning, an antibiotic ointment (preferably polysporin as this is less likely to cause skin irritation than Neosporin) should be applied and the cuts covered with gauze pads. Telfa pads are another option for coverage…these pads are “non-stick” and will not cling to raw cuttings as much as plain gauze. To minimize scarring and risk of infection, the bottom should be instructed to change the dressing and wash the wound with soap and water daily, re-applying antibiotic ointment with each dressing change. Keeping the wound bed moist in this manner facilitates rapid healing by allowing cell migration across the wound bed.
Happy cuttings!
Sounding off about Sounds
By Chey, ER RN
Sounding can be quite lovely for the adventurous (or just masochistic) guy- prostate stimulation from the inside, and all sorts of interesting applications when used in concert with electrical play! However, it is the one BDSM practice that I have never, in my 6 years in the public scene, seen done in a way that I’m comfortable with. Now, I have admittedly very high standards in this regard… but it remains that I would never allow a submissive of mine to be sounded using the methods that I have seen. The most egregious offense was on a DVD I found in a friend’s pile (they had gotten a huge stack of free porn) that purported to teach sounding. I popped it in and saw the leatherclad top pull a sound out of a toybag, squirt some lube out of a bottle onto it, and position it in her unfortunate submissive’s urethra with nary a glove in site. Her “instruction” was to be sure to use lots of lube and go slowly, starting with smaller sounds and working your way up- good advice, to prevent trauma to the urethra. So at least when her bottom has a bladder infection from her complete lack of even clean technique, it’ll be with an unscathed urethra. Little comfort I would think.
The thing that makes sounding so different from other types of insertion play is that unlike the ass, mouth or pussy, the urethra is a STERILE environment. So things that are inserted into other orifices can be merely clean, whereas anything that goes toward the bladder must be sterile… if it isn’t, you’re asking for a urinary tract infection or even a kidney infection, the end result of which can be permanent damage to the kidneys. There is a world of difference between sterile (free from living germs or microorganisms; aseptic) and practices that clean (remove dirt and other impurities), sanitize (reduce the number of microorganisms to safe levels), or disinfect (remove most microorganisms but not highly resistant ones). Cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting are relatively easy and are not sufficient to prevent infection in the context of a sterile body cavity- sterile is a whole different world.
In nursing school, we spent many hours learning how to create and maintain a sterile environment, and many more hours learning how to insert a foley catheter (the closest thing medically to sounding) using sterile technique. To be safe, it is my opinion that this is the standard to which we should hold sounding- nothing less than sterile technique will do. Teaching safe sounding is therefore way beyond the scope of this article. This is mostly intended as a cautionary piece, so that any bottoms considering being sounded can go into it knowing the risks and a little bit about how to minimize them.
Some of the most common mistakes that are most easily fixed:
The natural question is, where can you acquire a sterile drape, sterile gloves, individual lube packets, etc? It’s really quite easy- a quick google searched turned up http://www.bestbuycathetersupplies.com where I found kits that included sterile gloves, drapes, lube, and cleaning solution and supplies- all for just $3.25 a kit! There are many sites with similar products. Of course having the proper supplies doesn’t do much good if you don’t know how to use them- a nurse could show you how (it’ll take some time!), or take a class! At the very least, know what you are getting into when you venture into sounding- it is (or should be) one of the most technically complicated BDSM practices.
Staph and MRSA- What Perverts Need to Know
By Chey, ER RN
It seems staph infections in general, and MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) in particular, have been the subject of a lot of publicity (and frankly a bit of media scaremongering) lately. I've heard lots of concern and a few misconceptions floated around at the dungeon as people try to figure out how to protect themselves and their community. That's why I decided to write this article - staph infections sure aren't sexy, and don't make for very titillating reading, but concern about them seems to be on people's minds and I'd like to offer some information and suggestions.
Most people's skin, nose, and throat are colonized with Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria — usually simply called Staph. That may sound alarming, but usually Staph doesn't cause any problems and it may in some cases even protect us from more harmful bacterial invaders. However, if the staph gets deeper into your body (through a cut in the skin, up the urinary tract, etc) it can cause infections. In this era of modern medicine, that is normally easily treated, however due to wide use (and over-use) of antibiotics, there are strains of staph that have grown resistant to some antibiotics. MRSA is one such resistant strain. While certainly not something to be shrugged off, MRSA is not the equivalent of the black death- there are usually antibiotics that are effective against even severe MRSA infections. Examples include vancomycin, linezolid, and several other next generation antibiotics, several of which are only available in intravenous forms.
Superficial skin MRSA infections (which are the most likely MRSA infection in the BDSM community) are no joke and can be difficult to treat. Nevertheless, MRSA infections are more often a painful nuisance, rather than a life threatening illness, for people with normal immune systems. The key to preventing serious complications is recognizing signs of a possible MRSA infection and seeking prompt, appropriate medical attention.
The signs and symptoms of staph or MRSA infection vary widely depending on which body system is infected. I think in terms of BDSM we are likely most concerned with infection that enters through the breaks in the skin caused by flogging, caning, etc. Signs of an infection include skin redness, swelling, tenderness or warmth, and sometimes fever. This can be limited to the area where the skin was broken, or can extend over more of the body. Staph infections can also start as small red bumps (like a pimple or spider bite) that turns into a large, pus-filled abscess (commonly called a "boil").
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible to keep the infection from spreading. If an abscess is present the wound may have to be incised to allow the infected pus to drain out; if this is the case it will be necessary to apply dressings two or three times a day for a week or two while the infection clears and the skin heals. Ask for a wound culture- this takes 48 hours or so, but will tell you if you have a regular staph infection or if you have MRSA. This information will insure that you are being treated with appropriate antibiotics. In some cases antibiotics may not be necessary, but this determination should be made by a doctor.
Now, the really important part- prevention! MRSA skin infections are transmitted primarily by skin-to-skin contact and contact with surfaces that have come into contact with someone else's infection. Hand washing is the gold standard of infection prevention. Before starting a scene, make sure everyone involved has washed their hands. Scrub your hands for at least 15 seconds, and keep a bottle of alcohol hand sanitizer to use when you're not able to wash. Techni-care® or a similar surgical scrub is another good option to kill MRSA and most other skin bacteria. Ensure any cuts are covered - this will help them heal, prevent exposure to bacteria, and keep any bacteria already present from being spread. To be safe, play equipment (slings, bondage tables, etc) should be cleaned both before and after use - a bleach:water solution of 1:10 kills MRSA, and spray bottles are available at the Citadel for use. If you're looking for something to carry in your toybay, Mr. Clean Antibacterial Multi-Surface spray is a good choice- the label states that it kills MRSA. Plastic or rubber toys (canes, paddles, etc) can be cleaned in this manner, as well.
Cleaning equipment is relatively easy compared to the challenge posed by cleaning leather and fabric toys. Many bacteria, including MRSA, can survive on fabrics. How long is unclear- a medical review of different studies on the matter found a wide range of timelines sited. For example, the range for E coli was 1.5 hours to 16 months, and for MRSA between seven days and seven months. (By way of reassurance, if it's HIV you're worried about, that virus is well-established to die in minutes on surfaces and instantly when exposed to sunlight.) Forget anything you've heard about rubbing leather down with alcohol- that just destroys the finish. Nothing else works, either. The fact is, leather is an organic, permeable surface. If you want to use something you can disinfect, try latex, rubber, or vinyl.
What to do about this inability to clean your leather toys? One alternative for those with long-term play relationships is to have leather toys that are used only on a given bottom, but this may not be affordable or reasonable. Cleaning the bottom's skin prior to beginning a flogging scene (it would work to use alcohol hand sanitizer and a paper towel) would be an easy and reasonable step to minimize risk by minimizing the number of bacteria that the floggers will be exposed to (and, over the long term, the number of bacteria that they will spread to the next bottom). But nothing is going to ALWAYS protect you ALL the time, and at the end of the day, it all comes down to the amount of risk one finds acceptable. If we wanted to avoid all risk, we would stay at home (actually, we would move to somewhere less earthquake-prone and stay at home there, but that's not the point) - I don't know the statistics, but I would be willing to bet that you are much more likely to be killed in a car accident on the way to your play date than you are to acquire a serious MRSA infection from your date's leather floggers once you get there.