Key points
- Wide, padded leather or neoprene cuffs spread pressure far better than metal handcuffs
- Cuffs restrain; they are not built to hold body weight
- You should be able to slide a finger between cuff and skin
- Keys or a release tool stay within reach for the whole scene
- Numbness or tingling means the cuffs come off now
In detail
- Nerves run close to the surface at the wrist. Pressure on the thumb side can numb the back of the hand and thumb for weeks
- Ratcheting handcuffs tighten further when the wearer twists or pulls. If you use them, set the double lock so they cannot close any further
- Novelty handcuffs often have weak locks and flimsy keys. Keep a spare key and learn the quick-release latch beforehand
- Never suspend a person by wrist or ankle cuffs, and never pull hard on a cuff that is attached to a fixed point
- Hands cuffed behind the back strain the shoulders. Keep this position short and avoid lifting the arms upward
- Every 10 to 15 minutes, check skin color and warmth, and ask the person to wiggle their fingers
- Struggling against cuffs causes many injuries. Agree beforehand whether struggling is part of the scene
Warnings
- Tingling, numbness, weakness or a cold, pale or dusky hand: remove the cuffs immediately
- Numbness or weakness that lasts more than a day, or a hand that cannot be lifted at the wrist, needs a medical check
- Never leave a cuffed person alone
- Do not cuff anyone who is drunk, high or very tired
Resources and next steps
- Safety shears that can cut through leather and webbing
- A first aid course from the Red Cross or a similar organization
- Your doctor if any numbness or weakness persists after a scene
- The guide on rope bondage and nerve damage on this site