Editing Gag (BDSM) (section)

== Safety ==
Gagging anybody is very risky, as it involves a substantial risk of [[asphyxia]] if the subject's nose is blocked while wearing a gag.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://h2g2.com/entry/A4901140 |title=Autoerotic Asphyxia |website=h2g2 – The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition |date={{date|2005-08-09|DMY}} |access-date={{date|2024-12-12|DMY}} |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212150653/https://h2g2.com/entry/A4901140 |archive-date={{date|2024-12-12|DMY}} }}</ref> Using a gag on somebody who is ill or has a common [[allergy]] (including sensitivities to cologne or perfume) is also quite dangerous, as most gags make it difficult or impossible to breathe through the mouth. Vomiting and choking also pose a risk, since they further block the airway. A gagged subject should never be left alone.

In practice, no gag is effective enough to silence someone completely without inhibiting breathing. Most gags that prevent the subject from making intelligible speech still permit loud, inarticulate noises to call for help. Thus, a pattern of noises, such as three grunts in rapid succession, is sometimes used as a [[safeword]] by BDSM players. It is also common to use an additional non-verbal safety mechanism, such as a solid object held in the hand that can be released by the gagged person to signal distress.