Although many BDSM relationships follow the principle of SSC (Safe, Sane and Consensual), there are some couples that follow something different. This is known as RACK which stands for Risk-Aware Consensual Kink. The people that follow this believe every BDSM activity contains some sort of risk, and rather than trying to avoid risk, you should acknowledge and learn about the potential risks and do your best to avoid them, but at the same time know what you need to do if something goes wrong. For example, a couple who follows SSC may refuse to try needle play because of the possible risks. A couple who follows RACK will try needle play if it's their thing, but first they will do research about it and find out what the possible risks are. They might even find someone who is experienced in this type of play to mentor them. They will do everything they can to find out all of the possible risks and how to respond to them if they pop up during play. Many followers of RACK believe that it is the smarter of the two options because they think that followers of SSC are kind of burying their heads in the sand by pretending risk doesn't exist. Yes, the ultimate goal is to avoid risks, but if you want to avoid all risk you might as well just live in a bubble.

The second part of RACK, one that it shares with SSC, is the importance of consent. You do not do anything your partner doesn't consent to. Consent is what separates BDSM from abuse and is one of the (if not THE) most important thing. This doesn't necessarily mean you have to stop and ask before you do any little thing, but it does mean that you need to communicate with your partner so that you know what is acceptable and what is not. Talk about what your hard limits are and what things you know you like and what things you're not sure if you'll like. A good rule of thumb, especially for newbies, is that if you're not sure, you should always ask before introducing a new form of play. Also, if your partner says no, you should stop immediately. Remember that consent is a fluid thing and it can be revoked at any time. Just because someone says yes at the beginning of a session does not mean that they don't have the right to say stop at any moment.

Ultimately, whether you follow RACK or SSC, you must admit that every BDSM act contains some sort of risk, whether you like it or not. The best you can do is research rather than jump into it blindly. You need to know not only what the potential risks are but also what to do if something happens. Refusing to admit that risks exist is neither safe nor sane.

I hope after reading this article you feel more informed about the concept of risk-aware consensual kink. Even if you decide it's not for you, I hope you learned something new.