Ice Timer

Here is a little technique that I learned on the internet and then refined.

Many people tie themselves up. It is easier than finding a willing helper that you can trust. However, when you tie yourself up, you have to make it escapable. It puts you in a different mental state than when you know there is nothing you can do to escape. You are always deciding whether you should let yourself out yet; always looking for the way out; always ready to react in a sudden panic if someone might walk in.

If you know there is no way to escape yet, you relax, feel it, adapt to your new limits. You must accept whatever happens if someone were to catch you. There is nothing you can do so you unwind and flow with it.

That inescapable go-with-the-flow position can be achieved two ways; 1) have a partner who is in charge; 2) Have a timer that will not let you out for a while.

I never trusted mechanical or electrical timers. Too much can go wrong. If you place a piece of ice in a position that it won't let you out until the ice melts, you have a relatively sure outcome, and you are never quite sure how long the time will be.

I started by having the ice hold a key to a padlock. I even had it suspended from the ceiling above me so that as the ice melted it dripped onto my bare skin. It kept reminding me that it was ticking, and provided some tactile stimulation.

Later I skipped the padlock. Using a soft flat nylon rope, I tied a simple 6 inch long loop fastened to the bed ( or any solid object). On a longer piece of rope I created a lasso on one end and tightened it over the 6 inch loop. This left a bit of the 6 inch loop still hanging out. Slide an ice cube into that loop and pull tight on the long rope. The result is the ice cube prevents the long rope from sliding off of the short loop. You can pull on that rope with all the force the rope will handle. The ice is stronger.

Use your skills to tie yourself so that you can't get loose until the ice end of the rope comes free. It might be anywhere from 1 to 4 hours.

Another simple variation is working with the bed. If I put the middle of a flat rope between the box spring and the steel frame, it leaves a little loop sticking under the frame. With some force I can pull that rope out of there, unless there is an ice cube stuck in that loop. This ice cube is pushed tight to the steel frame so it melts faster. It lets loose in about an hour.

In any case, SAFETY is very important. Keep a phone handy and be able to use it. Have someone check on you (I know. Not easy). Don't ever get yourself in a position where blood flow or air flow is restricted.