Event Etiquette And Rules
Safety is All Tied Up San Diego's top concern!
Updated May 2023
General Event Etiquette
Be respectful of all others present.
Be responsible for yourself, your belongings, and your behavior.
Be aware of the environment around you.
Be able to communicate effectively.
Take your shoes off when walking around the tying areas.
Don’t walk on someone else’s tying area without permission.
Don’t be afraid to ask for what you would like, and don’t be hurt if the answer is no.
Use inside voices – no loud conversations.
Keep all socializing away from the tying areas.
Keep provocative or highly charged topics of conversation out of the event.
All Tied Up leadership and/or designated representatives will be monitoring every event. If you see something that you feel needs to be addressed, please talk to the leaders present at the event first.
Open Practice, Romp, LAB Event Rules
The Open Practice events a time to do rope scenes and practice.
Toys used independently and non-rope play are only permitted at the Ropetastic Romp Event.
Any non-rope items or toys used must be incorporated into the tie. For example, tying a flogger onto a bottom would qualify as incorporating the item into the tie. Tying up the bottom then hitting him/her with the flogger would not be allowed.
All doors and curtains must remain open at all times.
The Following Rules Are Ropetastic Romp Specific Rules
Ropetastic Romp Event Rules
The Ropetastic Romp is the event at which other toys and BDSM activites are allowed, provided rope is also involved in some way. You must have attended the Getting Started Class to be able to attend the RR.
A complete list of Romp rules will be provided at the event and clearly posted at the event.
All play must be done within the enclosed dungeon space and not in the front lobby or patio areas. Attendees are responsible for cleaning up their area after the scene. Use appropriate coverings including a drop cloth, eva mats, blankets, or puppy pads if needed. Leave the space ready for the next participant to use safely. Cleaning materials are available.
Phones, watches, or objects with audible tones must be set to silent. In the dungeon area phones may ONLY be used to take photos. Photos are to be taken only with consenting individuals in the picture. Otherwise, phones may be used in the front lobby area, please be courteous to other attendees. You will be removed if you’re on your phone inside the dungeon.
Any scene that is complex or potentially disruptive needs to be cleared with event leadership PRIOR to the event. If you have any questions about what you are going to do, check with leadership prior.
All doors and curtains must remain open at all times.
The Following Rules Apply To All Events
Suspensions
When Are They Allowed?
At the Open Practice, LAB, and Romp events, suspensions are allowed for qualified, experienced individuals. Suspensions – full or partial – come with increased risk of serious injury, therefore, we have some rules and recommendations.
Increased Risk
We want to be very clear. Suspensions, full or partial, can cause severe injuries, including nerve injuries, loss of sensory and/or motor function, and fatalities. We do not recommend engaging in full or partial suspensions without proper training, for both Tops and bottoms.
Suspension Rules
Every Top wanting to suspend, must first be approved to suspend by SirKnottyDan personally.
Bottoms wanting to be suspended may sign an additional waiver clearly acknowledging the risk and responsibility they are taking.
To request to be able to suspend or be suspended please contact SirKnottyDan PRIOR to an event. Requests received at an event may or may not be reviewed. All decisions are final and at SirKnottyDan's discretion.
The main support line (the primary line connecting the bottom to the hardpoint, made up of the rope itself and the connecting hardware) must be either 6mm+ reinforced jute, 6mm+ synthetic fiber (for example, nylon or Hempex) or 8mm+ Hemp.
The main support line should be run UNDER THE CUFF OR HARNESS OR THROUGH A DOUBLE TWIST BIGHT, not through a single line bight.
All fixed hardware (carabiners, connectors, rings, etc.) used with the main support line must either be made of aluminum climbing rated to 20kn+ or must be made of steel.
Safety Shears/Cutter must be VISIBLE and readily available at all times.
Self-suspenders MUST have a designated spotter prior to self-suspending.
Tops are responsible to know their limits. Suspensions are risky, whether you are new or experienced having another pair of eyes and hands available is not only wise, it shows you truly understand the risks.
Suspension Recommendations
Unless you have a structural engineering background you may never know if a hardpoint is sufficient or not. However, there are things you can do to evaluate a hardpoint prior to using it. Both Top and bottom should perform a visual inspection looking for any signs of wear, stress, cracks, or anything that appears to be unusual prior to tying.
We strongly recommend the use of spotters during any suspension.
All fixed hardware (carabiners, connectors, rings, etc.) used with the main support line must either be made of aluminum climbing rated to 20kn+ or must be made of steel.
We recommend mats be used to provide some cushion on the floor in case the bottom needs to come down quickly. Make sure the mats do not cause a tripping hazard for the Top.
It is recommended that bottoms do not attempt suspensions until they have sufficient experience being tied, so that they are acutely aware of their bodies, their limits, and when and how to speak up, without hesitation. Active bottoming is an acquired skill and one that takes time to learn through experience and education.
We also recommend everyone have a safety plan and be aware of their own risk profile for any tie, but this becomes even more relevant with suspensions.
Additional Questions
Top Questions
- How am I going to keep my bottom’s head from hitting the ground?
- Where is my cutting tool?
- What will I do if my bottom passes out?
- At each step of the tie, ask yourself, if the bottom calls the tie (RED, stop, done) right now, what is the safest way to get the bottom down to the ground?
- What are the signals that your bottom is in distress?
- If you are trying something new, what is the worst thing that can go wrong if it goes completely wrong? Can you live with the results?
- Am I proficient in the anatomy of this bottom to understand where rope should and shouldn’t be on this specific bottom?
- Have I negotiated for a spotter or two for this tie?
Top & Bottom Questions
- Am I willing to harm / be harmed?
- Am I hydrated?
- When did I last eat?
- Am I in the headspace to tie/be tied today?
- Did I get enough sleep/rest in the last few days?
- Have I been sick recently?
- Do I need to use the restroom?
- Am I physically and emotionally ready to tie/be tied?
If you have questions about any of these rules or recommendations, please ask SirKnottyDan in advance.
All Tied Up leadership reserves the right to interrupt any tie at any time to check-in with the Top/bottom if there is a perceived concern.
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