Newcomers to the BDSM scene often struggle to understand the widely used terminology and may be confused by numerous terms. It takes a while to understand all the possible names for various kinks, but it’s very important to grasp some of the most important concepts quickly.
Namely, two concepts central to BDSM dating are usually referenced only by acronyms, which can be frustrating for those unfamiliar with them. To understand what RACK and SSC really stand for and why those abbreviations are so essential, you need to take a closer look at the full expressions behind them.
That’s the only way to adopt the right mindset and have a clear idea of where to draw the line between consensual fun and irresponsible behavior.
RACK – Risk Aware Consensual Kink
Many sex practices that are a part of a BDSM lifestyle are associated with a certain amount of risk, some greater than others. It’s paramount that both partners are fully aware of the risks involved in a certain action and that they both willingly agree to take them.
The expression RACK or Risk Aware Consensual Kink encapsulates this principle very well, which is why it can be found on numerous BDSM blogs and forums. Once you are able to understand why RACK is so central to BDSM, you will be ready to start building relationships of this type and involve in some advanced level sex activities.
When this principle is respected, even the riskiest forms of sex play will most likely be performed safely, as both partners are well prepared and careful to avoid real injury. Open disclosure of all risks and their willing acceptance are the necessary elements of RACK-compliant behavior, and risks also include psychological anguish as well as physical pain.
In translation, one partner should never attempt to trick the other into performing a difficult or degrading act without providing a full explanation in advance. Finally, a kink can be defined as literally any fetish or sex act that both persons are aroused by, and it may or may not be a permanent part of sex play for a particular couple.
SSC – Safe, Sane, Consensual
Another hugely important term in BDSM dating is SSC, which stands for safe, sane, and consensual. Those three words clearly indicate the most important requirements for any BDSM sex act to be considered acceptable, no matter how bizarre it may seem.
It implies that both partners need to be of sound mind when they are deciding to engage in a certain kink, that safety is taken into consideration as much as possible, and that partners are in a conscious agreement about the act.
This principle also states that a person who is currently unstable or in an altered state of mind can’t consent to anything because this decision can’t be considered sane. BDSM couples that adhere to SSC can typically progress further in their fantasies without problems, as they have good guidance on how to decide when the right time to try something a bit more extreme is.
That’s why this term should be among the first concepts that newbies learn when they start inquiring about this type of sexual relationship and also one of the first conversation topics for a couple interested in BDSM that just met.
The power of consensual behavior
One theme is repeated again and again throughout this article – only fully consensual acts are allowed in BDSM dating, and you should never do anything one-sided without consulting whether your partner is comfortable with it.
On the surface, this may seem contrary to the spirit of BDSM play, where the will of one partner is dominant, but in fact, the rules are there to set the boundaries and prevent unpleasant or dangerous situations. Domination only makes sense if the other side enjoys it, while practical concerns with demanding BDSM activities make it extremely important that partners are in complete lockstep regarding every detail.
That’s the only way to derive pleasure for everyone and to eliminate some of the most serious physical and psychological hazards from the equitation. This is why good communication between partners is the precondition for a successful and long-lasting BDSM love affair.