Do people use real whips for bdsm play?

Real whips, sure? But usually not giant Indiana Jones 80 foot long ones. I mean, that's just not practical in terms of space. I don't think a whip is typically capable of killing someone. Cutting the skin or bruising? Yes. Cause excess bleeding if you hit a major artery? Probably.. but, then again, part of playing safe is knowing where it's safe to aim.

You could kill someone with a dildo if you tried hard enough.

Even a bullwhip would likely not KILL someone unless the user was truly out of control and the target was completely immobile - or doing something inherently risky like hard shots to the neck (I'd say "why would someone do that", but I've learned not to ask).

But if you beat someone with your fists long enough, they'd die eventually, too. That's why SSC is important, and playing with those you trust not to be random psychopaths.

Serious injury ? Sure. That's why you shouldn't play with things you don't know how to control.

Why wouldn't you? Real crops, too. ;P