Bdsm

Well... there would be a lot to say, but I will try to make it short.

First, there is no such thing as "the" BDSM. By definition it means Bondage, Dominance/Submission and Sadism/Masochism. And there are so many different kinds of practices that it is hard not to loose the overview.

As there are many variations in the practices of so called "vanilla" sex lives.

Generally, BDSM is NOT more dangerous than any other sexual practice. Why? Because generally BDSMers do care about their partners as well as common people do.

I would recommend safety, for instance covering, the same way to "vanilla" blind dates as to BDSM blind dates. To me, not BDSM is the danger, but the carelessness in dating foreigners.

So, for a beginner adequate advice should be: Safe, sane, consensual. And step by step, starting slowly, giving things time. Another tip could be, not too much to listen admiringly to elders, but to probe and go one's own way in one's own speed.

Taking care of one's health should be self-evident. Avoidable risks, especially infection risks - ought to be avoided!

Most BDSM practitioners I know "play" according to these "rules". So they are NOT crazy and NOT self-destructive. Of course, there may be some people who damage themselves and use BDSM for that purpose, either. But if there weren't BDSM, they would find and use something else.

This is my very personal view of that topic. I hope it is helpful. If there are questions, send a PM, if you like.

I am not too experienced practically, but I am preoccupied with BDSM for now about 5 years. Special technical issues should better be discussed in special forums or communities. Since I am german, I only know german websites.

One last thing: Be careful and hold back with personal information about you in those communities. It is as everywhere in the web, so don't act naively.