Plan ahead for immediate/rapid release
One of the first rules for managing risk when using rope is to have a way to quickly remove the rope, if needed.
There are many reasons for this:
- Nerve compression or damage
- Low blood circulation
- Loss of consciousness
- Muscle cramping
- Mental conditions such as:
- ADHD
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Claustrophobia
- Panic Disorder
- More…
EMT Shears
Shears - EMT - Open
EMT Hook
EMT Hook (2)
So it is important to always have a way to cut the rope when tying:
That said, it is almost always better to plan ahead and have a way to quickly untie them or to relieve the tension without having to cut rope if you can. The key to controlling rope is maintaining tension. When you cut the rope, that tension vanishes; both the rope and your partner can move in unpredictable ways. If you can alleviate the issue very quickly without having to cut the ropes, things tend to stay more controlled and can be de-escalated very quickly, sometimes even more quickly and with lower risk than cutting the rope.
Ways to mitigate
Use Quick Release ties:
Somerville Bowline Quick Release
The Slipped Somerville Bowline is a Single Column that allows you to untie it in 2-3 seconds. This is wonderful for Box Ties as it gives you a way to release your partner’s wrists, thereby allowing them to adjust their position and rotate their arm so that their radial nerve is no longer being compressed. This technique is faster than most people could use scissors!
Hojo Cuff - Quick Release
Hojo Cuff - Quick Release
The Quick Release Hojo Cuff is an inline Single Column that allows you to very quickly release tension on that cuff if needed. It is not a full release like the Slipped Somerville Bowline, but it relieves the tension quite a bit, helping to de-escalate the situation and allowing you time to untie normally.
Suspension-Munter
The Emergency Munter Hitch, used either above a suspension ring or as your suspension friction itself, will allow you to get your partner down on the floor in just a few seconds. I use this for every suspension I do, even partial suspensions. If my partner has an issue, I can quickly and gently get them down, removing gravity as a force of concern, and then take further steps to address the issues if any remain. (Often just getting them on the floor is enough to fix the issue.)
But if you run into an emergency situation and have not employed one of these techniques, don’t hesitate to (1) support your partner, then (2) cut the rope if needed. Your partner and the trust between you is much more important than a piece of rope.