Electric Play is a highly debated topic, primarily regarding the potential risks involved. However, for the curious and knowledgeable, Electro Play can be an intensely rewarding and special addition to one’s repertoire. I personally play with electricity about once a week and primarily use the ET312 since I can program special patterns and vary the depth and intensities much more than with any other device. Below, you will find a brief overview of electro play and some of the various types of devices used. I suggest starting slowly and always get advice from experienced players, and as standard disclaimers go: Play risk aware and have fun!
SM Basic Safety
– Know your bottom as best you can. Be sure to ask if s/he has health issues especially regarding heart trouble. Heart health is particularly important with electrical play. Neither Top nor bottom should have a pacemaker, as stray electrical current has the potential to disrupt it.
– Basic first aid information is helpful for any dungeon accidents that might occur. Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) skills are especially important for electrical play. The American Red Cross holds “Community First Aid & Safety” training which includes CPR.
Electricity Basics
* Electricity likes to go between body surfaces from point A to point B.
* Electricity comes in several flavors, some are safe and some are dangerous
*The term TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) unit can be
misleading; these devices can either be very safe or unsafe
* You should educate yourself on what comes out of an electrical device
(eg. AC, DC, audio or RF frequencies, voltage levels, current levels/limiting)
Safer Devices
*Audio oscillators, 10 to 1000 Hz audio frequencies, 0-20 volts, current limited
*Violet Wands are mini-Telsa coils, produce RF frequencies at high volts (up to
50,000 volts or higher which pass over surface of skin with negligible current)
Unsafe Devices
* Muscle Jerkers that produce brief pulses of relatively high voltage (50 to 200
volts), very unsafe for use above the waist, can stop the heart
* Magnetos, kick out killer high voltages (up to 200 volts) at very high current
* Cattle prods, & electric fence devices, kick out up to 2,000 volts at high current
* Train transformers, fairly low volts but unlimited current
Unless you know your device and it’s output, you never want to send a current where it can pass across the heart. That can interfere with the heart’s natural pulse and stop it. Novice shorthand: “No contact above the waist.” This is highly debatable topic, however, as many players feel it is fine to use electrical stimulation above the waist (nipples especially) if the device is an audio oscillator which emits fairly high frequency and very low voltage pulses – unlike muscle jerking machines or magnetos or cattle prods (see prior and below) which emit high voltages with large currents. Folsom makes clips (see below) that alternate the current – I use them often with no worries. Further, one must ALWAYS be careful and avoid above the waist if your bottom has heart trouble or has had surgery. If they do not know, you may wish to stay below the waist.
Some Devices
- Violet Wands (technically, “radio frequency Tesla coils”). There is a big intensity difference in “regular” violet wands sold new through beauty supply stores and used through flea markets versus the units that were made by Erotec (which stopped producing them circa 2001). Each have their place. Do your homework. Here is a great set by Doctor Clockwork, or if you just want to get started gently and less expensively the Neon Wand is quite nice.
- Medical TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) units are different from the power box devices discussed below, though one could use many other attachments. See TENS page.
- Pulse signal generator(PSG) / electro-muscle stimulation (EMS) power boxes.
- Eros Tek (formally called the ET312, now called Super Power Box, is my personal favorite) makes remote and audio controlled units, including units with programs. The units with programs are amazing, yet also remove some of the direct knowledge of what the unit is doing — though a good top knows to check it out ahead of time. You can also create programs, attach microphones, and program music.
- Folsom makes the PSG-202 and PSG-MAX. I prefer the MAX Unit
- Paradise Electro Stimulations makes the P.E.S. Power Box which are popular.
- I’ve heard good things about Mystim, although I have yet to test it out.
Attachment Considerations:
There are hundreds of attachments out there! Do your homework, consult a Pro 🙂
Many other possibilities include do it yourself stuff.
Single electrode attachments require another attachment to complete a circuit.
Dual electrode attachments do not require another attachment to complete a circuit.
Many attachments require (conductive) gels with electrolytes to conduct electricity adequately. Ask for “ultrasound gel” at your local medical supply store or online, and Ky jelly or water based lube works fine for shorter time frames. You can also use conductive pads to transmit the current directly between areas without an attachment.
Other items of note:
–Electronic dog collars: Fun vocal estim play. Train that puppy!
-Cattle prods – Use only shorter 2-3 cell units, more are too intense NEVER use a cattle prod above the waist. Stunners, zappers or tazers, which are high-voltage, high frequency items designed to temporarily immobilize a victim are NOT recommended.
I have used estim bands with a cock pump and lube, which must be similar!
Electro Play Resources
– An intricate and honest discussion of electrical play is available here.
–JUICE: Electricity for Pleasure & Pain by “Uncle Abdul” is pretty comprehensive.
Zippity Doo Dah…Zippity Day
Enjoy your new found E-stim Play!
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Domina, Presenter, and Kink Coach, Eve Minax delights in proliferating carnal knowledge. She acts as Lead Staff Instructor for the Cleo Dubois Academy of SM Arts since 2002 and has exercised her pedagogical skills at a variety of conferences around the United States. Minax is a certified Sex Educator (SFSI), Urban Tantrika, and Bondassage Practitioner. Among other distinctions she recently co-authored “Bondassage: Kinky Erotic Massage Tips For Lovers” with Jaeleen Bennis. Previously, she wrote a regular column and hosted a kinky video program on Carnal Nation. Minax works consistently with SeriousBondage.com and self produces her own videos. Other studies include an MA in Cultural Studies focusing on Sexuality, NLP, NVC, DBT and she speaks French fluently. Always exploring, Minax maintains a loving and extended leather family throughout the world. You may find more information on her websites: eveminax.com, mistressminax.com, and you can follow her on Twitter and on Facebook .