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| Author | toe |
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| IAM | toe |
| When | N/A |
IAM Member: Sque3z
Photo by IAM Member: starxmichellexstar
michellexstar.com
Granted, I have never been suspended. I really, at this point in my life, have no overall urge to suspend. So how exactly does this qualify me for writing an article on suspension?
My question that I'm trying to answer with research is actually one that anyone, having been suspended or not, should be of interest � what are the processes behind suspension that make it clean and safe?
I'll admit, I'm a self-proclaimed hypochondriac. I have a fear of needles and my fear of getting deathly ill from an infection is ten times worse.
For me to look on at some of the images on the BME site or the IAM pages, I must say I cringe a bit thinking of the air born pathogens just waiting to land. But surely, with all the suspensions and minimal media coverage, accurate or not, it seems that infection and other poor side affects of suspension are not that prominent which leads me into my quest for more knowledge, knowledge I would like to share with the rest of the BME Community and any passerby that might be curious about suspension, scared or just interested in the read.
Because I have never been suspended, I think this qualifies me as a non-biased bystander wanting to find and report accurate information, not skewed by religion, media or any other hype that might hinder the sharing of valuable information. The answers I find could perhaps determine if I ever would decide to try suspension.
My first step in realizing how to go through a suspension and keeping it clean is understanding the proper methods of sterilization, equipment and procedure.
In brief, suspension is the hanging of the human body using large hooks that are placed through key areas of the skin, dependant on the form being performed. The body is suspended from a secure rigging using hooks, ropes and pulleys. The individual is generally suspended for a relatively short amount of time and then they are released back to the ground where their hooks are removed and the remaining holes are burped of air.
As for equipment, the standard hooks used are fishing hooks and come in two different types: open and closed eye. Although closed is preferred and makes it less likely to have rigging problems, either can be used.
One cleanliness factor in using hooks is that they should be stainless steel. The main reason for this is that the standard fishing hook is made of a high carbon coated steel which is more prone to rust after being autoclaved. A stainless steel hook, although not the most common fish hook, will not rust after being autoclaved, making for a more sterilized suspension.
Now, when the suspension crew uses these hooks, it does not mean they are a considered a "buy and use item". Before use in a suspension, the barbed tip of the fishing hook needs to be ground off, using either power or hand tools, and made smooth.
Now with the barb removed this still does not mean that they should be inserted directly into the skin. Your suspension team could use this as the procedure for placement of the hooks, but the standard practice would be for the insertion holes to be created using a standard piercing needle and the hooks inserted afterwards.
As far as equipment is concerned, a rigged system with a strong upper support (i.e. tree, ceiling or scaffolding) is needed. This is something that needs to be very secure and very strong and able to hold the individual's weight during the suspension.
IAM Member: xsilencex
We have already mentioned the hooks and that they should be made out of stainless steel and autoclaved. It is obvious that the needles used to pierce the skin to insert the hooks should also be autoclaved. Another very obvious point is to prevent possible infection, the use of latex gloves should be promoted. If the individual has an allergy to latex, this should be disclosed to the suspension team, along with any other medical conditions like high blood pressure.
A "red flag" for any person wanting to be suspended would be if the suspension team wished to thread the ropes directly through the pierced holes. Not only is this painful and would increase the chances of your skin tearing, but the rope is not an item that could be 100% sterile and would promote infection and cross-contamination should multiple people be using the same rig.
Along the lines of the rig and general environment, while having the opportunity to speak with Cere, member of the Rites of Passage Suspension Group, I asked him about preparation of the general area where the suspension would be performed.
"Well for an indoor environment we'll make sure the floor of the area is non-porous and cleanable. If not, and even sometimes if it is, we'll also lay down material just in case. Also the beam or whatever point you rig from is made sure to be clean of all contaminants. But overall if a place is too dirty, dusty, etc we just wont hang there..."
After the suspension, it is usually noted that removal of the hooks is less painful if taken out quickly. At the time of removal, the wounds remaining should be "burped" of air via massage (not a necessity) and a sterile dressing placed over it.
With the wounds covered, aftercare to prevent infection would be considered basic hygienic care such as showering and using a mild soap over the wound.
A matter brought up by Cere was personal hygiene. Perhaps he brought it up in jest, but the truth is we can talk and research about the overall cleanliness of the area where the suspension will take place as well as how the suspension team keeps their equipment sterile, but there is also the issue with personal hygiene of the individual being suspended.
If the individual being suspended shows signs of dirt or dinge, it is possible for the piercer placing the hooks to introduce some of that into the area between your skin and muscle via the piercing, therefore increasing your risks of infection. This would not be due to something the suspension team did wrong in their preparations for the suspension, but rather an outlying source that could have been avoided if the individual merely cleaned themselves before going to the suspension area.
Responsibility for cleanliness is primarily up to the suspension team, but know that it is also up to the individual who will be suspended.
Back to location, no matter where you suspend, indoors or out, the suspension team should have access to hot and cold water as well as a flat, smooth surface that can easily be cleaned as mentioned earlier by Cere.
One tip from the BME FAQ on suspension is that when working in the field, the suspension team should have sections marked out for clean, working and contaminated. This will prevent any undue cross-contamination from one person walking into a "clean" area when they are someone that could contaminate the area.
Cere commented a bit regarding indoor and outdoor environments in our conversation:
"... as far as indoor versus outdoor environment I'm comfortable working in either. Obvious for cleanliness purposes a vacuum is ideal; however, you must remember that this is ritual, not procedure. Hanging out doors is very different then indoors. I'll accommodate whomever I'm working with..."
Even though Cere said he would try to accommodate whomever he was working with, he did elaborate further regarding the actual cleanliness of the suspension environment and how far he would personally go.
"As far as people throwing their own hooks in less then clean environments - I know some people who use sub-par suspension materials because it "looks prettier" and I know of some people who don't even use gloves because they don't want to lose the "personal feeling.""While I would never do either, I actually have nothing against people who use these or other methods as long as they understand the consequences, and have no issue with them. As long as EVERYONE involved understand the risks."
This brings up a very important aspect of suspension: trust.
Knowing and trusting those around you working to give you your suspension experience is almost, through my own observations, a must. If you cannot trust the suspension team around you, how can you relax enough to prepare mentally and spiritually? If you are worried about the cleanliness of the equipment or about cross contamination from a previous individual � how can you enjoy the brief moments of your suspension?
It would almost be impossible. This is where trust becomes a major factor. If a person can go into a suspension and concentrate on the task at hand, not on the possibilities of infections � the experience will be deeper and more personalized.
I would like to summarize this article/editorial with words on cleanliness and trust and how it pertains to suspension from IAM member, Sque3z:
"Because I put sooo much trust in the people who work with me on a daily basis and I know the background of all of them,... I have never had any doubts that all of these people know what they are doing and where they stand as far as cross contamination, infectious disease control, duties, and know-how regarding health and safety are concerned."I strongly believe that if one makes that the number one priority of making sure everyone is safe, then it shouldn't be a concern from the start. If the number one concern is not the health and safety of the participants, fellow crew members, or spectators alike, then maybe you shouldn't be part of that particular crew/event."
***BME FAQ referred to on information regarding suspensions as well as other online resources***
***THERE ARE MANY RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH HUMAN SUSPENSION, THIS ARTICLE IS NOT MEANT TO BE THE END ALL FOR SUSPENSION RISKS � ONLY INFORMATION ON HOW TO PREVENT INFECTION***