Some specific rules and regulations have been put in place by the BDSM community for its members’ security purposes. Among them are SSC (safe, sane, and consensual), RACK (risk-aware consensual kink), and PRICK (personal responsibility informed consensual kink). The word “consensual” is crucial and occurs in all the three rules above.
It is ideal to have a general informative outline in records when you’re a member of BDSM. Not having it may result in performing unwarranted activities that may be harmful or cause permanent harm either physically or emotionally to your or your mate.
SSC, RACK, and PRICK are values whose goal is to support these rules clearly and understandably. Different people may interpret these regulations differently according to their imagination and knowledge.
Let’s exploit what these three terms mean.
Safe, Sane, Consensual (SSC)
SSC demands that the two people involved in a kinky relationship be sober and ascertain whether their actions are harmless and should adhere to it.
RACK was formed because SSC doesn’t consider both members the same way. If I assume something is safe, it doesn’t mean that the same applies to everyone. It may be sane to me but not to you.
RACK is usually viewed as a contradicting rule to SSC since SSC only recommends activities that are viewed as safe, sane, and consensual to be practiced. In simple terms, SSC declares that activities are either safe or unsafe, whereas, in RACK, nothing is safe. Activities can be very safe or less safe.
While practicing SSC, you have to ask yourself these three questions;
- Is our kinky style safe to perform?
- Is it a good thing to do?
- Do we agree with it?
For SSC to be effective, all the members should have the same opinion on safe and sane means. This is bound to work perfectly when both the parties think the same, have a similar opinion about things, and have the same universal view concerning kink. If you don’t, it may confuse you.
Risk-Aware Consensual Kink (RACK)
Formation of RACK immerged after some people attested that SSC was very shallow and unclear. Arguments such as whose version of safe or sane should be referred to? What if you think something is rational, and I view it as insane? Who is the winner of such an argument?
Here’s what RACK means:
Risk-aware: In simple terms, you’re “aware of the risk,” but it should be more elaborate. You should be in a position to specify the specific risks and know how to avoid them.
Consensual: Everyone agrees with your current activity or what you’re planning to do.
Kink: The activity, power exchange, scene, or moment – your kinky activity.
If you’re starting on RACK and it makes you happy, implement this as a checklist. Can you point out the risk? Are you both in a position to confirm your consent to your partner? Are you both familiar with the event that is about to happen?
Personal Responsibility, Informed, Consensual Kink (PRICK)
PRICK is the subsequent progress after RACK, and it stands for Personal Responsibility, Informed, Consensual Kink. It was formed to clarify that every kinkster should observe their safety during their kinky events. Informed means that you have an idea of what is about to take place – threats and every consensual kink is what it’s all about. The impression is that you are responsible for yourself and knowledgeable enough to practice some consensual kink.
Most kinksters know how vital their safety is, thus observe these safety rules. Be it SSC, RACK, or PRICK, which results in a lot of controversies. Each philosophy has its shortcomings, but everyone is free to decide what works best for them.
How to be Safe with BDSM Dating
Communicate
Communication is the most crucial feature of BDSM dating or all relationships in general. After you decide that you want to start a relationship with someone and you want to incorporate some BDSM activities in it, both of you should discuss freely what you expect or don’t want from that relationship.
Have a checklist on standby and evaluate it with your kinky partner so that you see if you’re compatible with one another. Let them know your boundaries and respect your partner’s boundaries as well.
Take More Time
When you’re starting a relationship with a new partner, never indulge in BDSM activity immediately. As stated above, communication is key, and it may take a while to start communicating freely with them. You want to understand the other person’s limitations and values, and you expect them to know yours too. You also want to know what they think about BDSM and the power of exchange. Ask them about any health conditions they may be having and reveal yours as well. Ensure that you agree on how you’ll be using safe Words, and you may want to ensure that when you use them, everything has to end. The time that you’ll take to start trusting each other depends on both of you and may take more than a few weekends of dating.