Key points
- When a sense is blocked, touch becomes the main line of communication
- Agree on signals that work without sight or hearing
- Keep a hand on the person, especially when you move around
- Panic or dissociation can come on quickly, so watch closely
- Take blindfolds off slowly in dim light
In detail
- With hearing blocked, the person cannot hear a check-in. Use a squeeze code instead, for example two squeezes asking and two squeezes answering that all is well
- Make sure the signals the person uses do not depend on the blocked sense, and practice them before the scene
- Stay in physical contact. Sudden touch after a long silence can startle, so announce your return with a light, familiar touch
- Clear the floor and guide the person by the hand if they need to move. Disorientation and loss of balance cause falls
- A blindfold should not press on the eyes. Remove contact lenses beforehand
- Time feels longer without senses. Start with short periods and build up
- If panic starts, remove the blindfold or earplugs first, then speak calmly and name where the person is and who is with them
Warnings
- Never leave a person alone while their senses are blocked
- Combining sensory deprivation with restraint raises the risk of panic and falls
- Going very still or not answering a check-in means stop and check
- Sensory deprivation can bring up trauma memories; talk about this beforehand
Resources and next steps
- The guide on non-verbal safe signals on this site
- The guide on hoods, masks and airflow on this site
- The guide on playing with a trauma history on this site
- A soft, padded blindfold rather than tape or tight fabric