Key points
- Nose and mouth openings must stay clear and aligned
- Anything that limits airflow is breath play, with the same risks
- Never put plastic bags or wrap over the face
- Know how to get the hood off in seconds
- Remove the hood at any sign of distress or nausea
In detail
- Choose hoods with generous openings at the nose, and if possible the mouth. Check the openings still line up after the person moves their head
- Breathing the same air again builds up carbon dioxide. Watch for headache, fast breathing, flushing, confusion or drowsiness
- Latex, leather and neoprene trap heat. Keep the room cool, offer water between segments and keep early sessions short
- A closed-mouth hood combined with nausea or vomiting is dangerous. Never use one when someone has been drinking or feels unwell
- Practice taking the hood off before the scene. Zips and laces can jam; safety shears cut leather, latex and laces
- Gas masks with filters, breathing tubes or restrictors limit airflow by design. Treat them as breath play, not as a costume
- Ask about claustrophobia, asthma and latex allergy during negotiation
Warnings
- Plastic bags, cling film and tape over the nose or mouth can kill within minutes
- Never leave a hooded person alone, and never let anyone sleep in a hood
- Do not combine a hood with a gag or a face-down position
- Loss of consciousness is a medical emergency: remove the hood and call emergency services
Resources and next steps
- The guide on breath play risks on this site
- The guide on gag safety on this site
- A first aid course that includes CPR
- Local emergency services (112 in the EU, 911 in the US)