Things to know about electro

Best avoided

There are no guarantees that electro will always be totally safe. Even at low levels electricity can stop the heart. It has its own electrical system to keep it beating which electrosex can interfere with.

For this reason some advise electro be kept below the waist and definitely away from the neck, head or chest (including nipples), as well as hands and arms, as they're linked to the chest and heart.

Some kits have contacts designed for use on tits, keeping the current in the area around the nipple, but these are used at your own risk.

Beginners definitely should stick to the 'below the waist' rule. Legs are a good place to start.

Shocks should be applied to muscle away from where it connects to joints and tendons.

Piercings and jewellery can quickly get very hot so are best avoided during electro.

Proceed with caution

To avoid burns don't keep applying electricity to the same area of skin.

Any electrical charge should be kept away from moisture including:

• liquids (such as drinks but also poppers, which have the added risk of being flammable)
• piss
• sweat
• saliva
• moist mucous skin (lips, mouth and moist areas of the genitals).

Skin should be dry and not broken or sore.

Battery-powered equipment is safer than mains-powered. In the event of a fault the current is limited, unlike equipment powered by mains electricity.

Don't try and adapt products not designed for stimulating the body.

Drugs that put the heart under stress (such as cocaine, poppers and amphetamines) are best avoided during electrical play.

Glass electrodes (for example in violet wands) should not be inserted into the body as this means contact with moist mucous membranes. Also there's a risk the glass might break.

The build-up

Start a session on low power than increase slowly.

If playing with someone new to electro it can be a good idea to let them directly control the level of current.

Everyone has different pain thresholds. A setting that works for one person may not be right for someone else.

If combining electro with bondage someone can injure themselves if bound so tight that they can't move or flinch when receiving a shock.

Never surprise anyone during a scene with electro.

At higher risk

Electro should be avoided by those with epilepsy, heart conditions or a history of stroke or seizures.

Want to know more?

For more info about violet wands and rays see www.violetwand.org.