The idea of electrical play is something that I have mixed feelings on. The sensations that can be achieved is something that makes me want to experience what it would be like, yet the fear of something going wrong makes me think twice about it.
Electricity is not an element that you want to play with lightly. One wrong move and serious damage could be caused, possibly as serious as a fatality. “Never cross the heart. This doesn't apply to the violet wand because it using the skin affect. This is excellent advice. It only takes a few micro-amperes in the wrong place at the wrong time to screw up the heart's rhythm. The best way to avoid doing this is to keep your electricity well away from the heart. The commonly heard advice for people just starting to explore electrical play is keep electricity below the waist.” (http://www.bdsmflorida.com/BDSMFloridaReadingRoom/ElectricalPlay/VioletWand/HowTo/)
In electrical play there are two types of electrical toys are used most often. Those toys are the ‘Violet Wand’ and a ‘TENS unit’ (Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation unit). “One type affects the surface of the skin. A Violet Wand, this device uses static electricity. It works by sending sparks out through a single electrode. The electrical sparks create an incredible array of sensations, and gives off a distinct purple light. There are many different models with various attachments. One type affects the muscles below the skin. A Tactile Electrical Neural Stimulation unit, otherwise known as a TENS unit. Designed for muscle and back pain therapy, the TENS units are battery powered with control of pulse intensity and frequency. The unit has two leads that can be attached to stimulation pads which adhere to the skin for contact. It can produce sensations ranging from a slight tingle to a serious jolt.”
(http://www.erotic-bdsm.net/Articles/Electric_Play.html)
“There are four "kinds" of electrical waveforms you may encounter in kinky play:
DC - Direct current (DC) - Batteries, some generators.
Pulse - Single pulse DC - Capacitors, some cattle prods.
LF - Low frequency - TENS units.
HF - High frequency - Violet wand.
Each of these when used on human flesh has different "emergent" properties and a different "feel", and this results in surprisingly different concerns for use in BDSM play.”
(http://www.bdsmflorida.com/BDSMFloridaReadingRoom/ElectricalPlay/VioletWand/HowTo/)
Violet Wand
The Violet Wand seems to be the easiest toy to use for electrical play because of the fact that it runs off static electricity instead of current. The purple glow the wand gives off also makes the toy more ‘showy’ then other toys. “The sensation can range from very mild to fairly intense depending on how it is used. Using it with the large ball attachment is very mild. The larger the attachment, the gentler it is. Using metal, such as butter knife, wartenburg wheel, ball chains, pin hammer, golden wheel and guitar picks. The smaller the point, the more intense it is. A shock whip with conductive rubber strands is also available.” (http://www.goddessangel.com/electric/violetwand.htm)
I think the Violet Wand would definitely be something that I would like to try at some point. Think the fact that it is static electricity and it comes in quick little bursts it won’t hurt so bad. I think that the first time it was used on me I’d like to feel it on areas that were not highly sensitive. I would also like to be blindfolded because I don’t think I would want to see it. I believe that I would freak out if I actually saw the electricity jump from the bulb to my skin. I am scared about the consequences involved if the person I play with does something wrong. But from my understanding from what I have read on the subject, the consequences are minimal as long as the wand is kept away from a persons head.
Violet wands can cause burns if used repeatedly over the same spot. Some people do like the fact that the want can burn and use it on the same place on purpose. Sort of like a form of branding but a lot slower of a process I would imagine.
Now the Violet Wand can leave marks on a sub’s skin depending on the intensity of the play and the sensitivity of the sub’s skin. The marks don’t always show up right away, sometimes it could take up to an hour or so. Also, it’s usually the play involving metal objects that leave the marks. Marks are usually fairly mild and those that have sensitive skin or sunburn easily are more prone to having marks left behind.
The wand can also be used in fire play for those that know what they are doing. The spark sent off by the wand is used to ignite the alcohol on the sub’s flesh. Extreme caution must be used in this type of play thought and should not be done by someone with no experience. T.E.N.S. Unit
“TENS unit, one of a number of machines designed for applying electrical pulses to the body at safe levels. Similar machines include EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulator) units and Relaxicisors. Intended for relief of back pain and muscle stimulation, these devices come in various varieties offering different numbers of independent output channels and features that vary the intensity and pulse characteristics of the output.”
(http://www.medicaltoys.com/lib-electric.htm)
The TENS unit is another toy I would like to experience at some point as well. I think the sensations that it would cause would be something that I would enjoy. However the thought of electricity flowing though my body makes me a little nervous.
The only real way to learn how to use a TENS unit is to test it out on yourself. You always have to keep one thing in mind when using anything with settings and dials is that everyone has different pain thresholds so what one person may find enjoyable another may not.
“The TENS unit are battery-powered, with control of pulse intensity and pulse frequency, and two leads that can be attached to stimulation pads which adhere to the skin for contact. These can produce sensations ranging from a mild tingle to a thrilling trembling buzz to a serious jolt. Remember, below the waist only! We strongly suggest and recommend using only units which sole power source is a 9V (or weaker) battery!” (http://www.medicaltoys.com/lib-electric.htm)
If the pulse and intensity were kept fairly low then I think I could find great enjoyment from a TENS unit. I don’t think I would enjoy the intense jolt that could be given. Also I worry about there being a poor connection with the pads and serious damage being caused to the muscles below which may take a while to show up.
I can only assume how I would react to electrical play since I have never tried it yet. But from what I have read while doing this assignment I do believe that it could be very enjoyable as long as the Dominant knows what they are doing.
References
http://www.erotic-bdsm.net/Articles/Electric_Play.html
http://www.sexuality.org/l/bdsm/elecarti.html
http://members.fortunecity.com/chezmoi/bloodsport.html
http://www.goddessangel.com/electricplay.htm
http://www.bdsmflorida.com/BDSMFloridaReadingRoom/ElectricalPlay/VioletWand/HowTo/
http://meltingpot.fortunecity.com/mali/18/elecplay.html
http://www.medicaltoys.com/electric.htm
http://dark.delusions.com/stormcat/toys/violet.html
