A person with claustrophobia that wants to be tied, usually can be. It just takes some time to build the necessary trust and confidence.

• Talk to them about what it looks like when they are starting feeling the effects of their claustrophobia … and what they want you to do. Do they want you to release them immediately or help them experience it for a short time first?
• Build trust by going very slowly and letting them guide you.
• Demonstrate quick-release ties like the Slipped Somerville Bowline, first on yourself or another person Show them how quickly it can be released, if needed.
• Then try it with them, but only on one part of their body. Ask them where it will be least likely to trigger a panic response. Perhaps a wrist is too much, but an ankle or knee would work. Tie it on, but not too tight, and just let them feel the rope itself, do not pull or jerk on it the first time. Then release them, again demonstrating and practicing that quick release with them so they experience how quickly they can get out, if needed.
• If they are feeling comfortable you can try again, this time gently pulling the tail of the completed cuff so they feel a bit of that pressure. Again, fully release them and give them time to reset and confirm they are still grounded and comfortable.
• Then ask if they want to try two things tied together, and, if so, which? Perhaps their knees, ankles, wrists…
• Continue building from there. One small step at a time, each time releasing and letting them reset.
• Continue talking and let them guide you.
• Once you have built to a point that they feel able to try something more restrictive, again talk them through the various techniques you have to release them quickly.
• Establishing an agreed set of signals that they are starting to feel the claustrophobia so you can release them before panic sets in.
• Perhaps just use the Green, Yellow, Red system, being clear about what each color will mean:
• Yellow might mean you stop and check in on them to decide if they need to be released or just need things to pause for a moment until they feel calm.
• Red might mean that panic is imminent and they need to be released immediately.