Straitjacket
Definition
A straitjacket is a tight garment or restraint device that completely encloses the upper body and secures the arms firmly to the chest or along the body. In BDSM, the straitjacket is used as a form of bondage and surrender, often with a strong psychological and sensory impact.
Explanation of a straitjacket
The straitjacket has its origins in psychiatry, where it was once used to immobilize patients. In the BDSM context, however, the object has taken on a completely different meaning: not an instrument of oppression, but of voluntary surrender. When someone allows themselves to be strapped into a straitjacket, that person literally and figuratively relinquishes control.
The straitjacket is usually made of leather, canvas, or sturdy latex, and fastens at the front or back with straps or buckles. The arms are inserted into the sleeves and then crossed over the chest or back, after which they are secured with straps. This prevents the wearer from moving, touching themselves, or defending themselves. This total immobility makes the experience intense: the body is free of action, allowing the mind to focus entirely on sensation, breath, and experience.
Paradoxical experience
Many submissives describe wearing a straitjacket as a paradoxical experience. On the one hand, there is the oppression, the loss of control, the physical restriction. On the other hand, it is precisely this that can lead to deep peace, security, freedom of thought, and even ecstatic relaxation. The restriction of movement makes room for inner surrender – a state reminiscent of meditation or regression.
For Dominants, the straitjacket has powerful symbolism. It is a ritual of entrusting and controlling: the sub is literally folded back into themselves, withdrawn from the outside world. The Dominant guards, guides, and observes – the body is still, but the energy remains present.
Safety & points of attention
A restraint tube is one of the most intense forms of bondage. Because the wearer cannot free themselves, trust between both partners is essential. Careless use can lead to panic, breathing problems, or entrapment.
Never use a restraint tube without supervision; the sub should never be left alone.
Regularly check breathing, blood flow, and body temperature.
Ensure that the restraint fits properly – too tight will restrict breathing, too loose will make it unsafe when moving.
Have the submissive agree on a stop sign or sound that remains audible, even without words.
Do not use the restraint for too long; prolonged fixation can cause tingling, cramping, or emotional overload.
In experienced hands, the restraint tube is not only an object of restriction, but of liberation. It confronts the wearer with themselves, with surrender and with trust. In silence, cut off from the world, a deeper connection can arise – with the Dominant, but also with one’s own inner self.
Related terms straitjacket
More information
