How do I get started?
First off, if you want to try bondage just remember that communication is key in any relationship. So before you either tie yourself up and wait for your partner to find you like that, or try to surprise attack your partner with rope mid coitus, just have a talk with them. There are a few ways to bring it up, but just make sure both you, and your partner are cool with the whole thing before actually getting any supplies and diving right in.
Supplies, you say? What kind of things do I need? Well, before you go out and buy a brand new pair of $80 leather cuffs, you'll want to make sure that you're actually a fan of bondage. There are much cheaper options that you can try out first. Don't get me wrong, expensive leather cuffs are great, but you might want to start out with something a little lighter.
For example, who hasn't seen the classic fuzzy handcuffs? Sure, they're a little cliche, but they work. My first bondage item was actually a pair of fuzzy pink handcuffs, and now I've graduated to much bigger and better things. They are great for beginners though, because they're not intimating, and they're easy to use. They are also easy to remove quickly if you find out you or your partner really hate being tied up.
Rope is also a fairly cheap option. If you're good with knots, this could also be a lot of fun. The only thing I find that I dislike about rope -- as opposed to handcuffs -- is the chance of rope-burn. A nice nylon rope will be softer on your skin than the usual hemp rope, and nylon rope will be much less likely to leave marks or gashes, depending on how tight you have it. Just be careful not to have it too tight, so you maintain circulation.
You could also try a cheaper pair of leather cuffs. The first leather cuffs I bought were only around $30, and they're still one of my favorite pairs. Leather cuffs are probably my favorite bondage option, because they won't dig into your skin like handcuffs or rope will. They're also very aesthetically pleasing, which is a bonus in my opinion.
All of the above options can be used for light beginner bondage if you're just starting out, but if you find that you're a huge fan, they can also be used for harder bondage. So whether or not you're just trying it out, or you're planning on really getting down and dirty, these are some good options for you. Sure, there are other things that you can use, but these are the three big ones, and the ones I find are the most fun to use.
Now that I have my supplies, how do I stay safe?
It's always important to put safety first in any bondage situation. There are a few simple things you can do to always make sure that the person being restrained is as safe as possible.
It's always a good idea to have scissors readily available to cut any ropes in case of an emergency. I personally always attach both my handcuffs and leather cuffs to some kind of rope or ribbon that I can easily cut if it's needed. It's much easier to cut a piece of ribbon than it is to cut through a thick leather cuff.
Circulation is also a big deal. Always make sure that your gear isn't too tight. Check every knot you make with rope, check your cuffs, check fingers, toes, whatever is bound. Make sure the person being bound has feeling in all their appendages, and that none of the ropes are too tight. They shouldn't have red or puffy areas around where they are bound, and they definitely shouldn't be turning any shade of blue or purple. A safe rule of thumb is that you should be able to fit one or two fingers between the item restraining them and their skin.
Always check up on whoever is bound. Just a quick "You okay?" is good; to which they can respond with a nod or an answer yes or no. If they're gagged, set up some kind of hand signal to say, "This is too tight!" or "I'm done with this". You can also check in with little hand squeezes, and let them know to squeeze back to signal they're okay.
Never leave someone alone while they're bound, especially for extended periods. If you have to go to the bathroom, let them take a little break.
Sure, safety is huge, but it doesn't mean you can't still have fun. So go grab your partner, some rope, and safety scissors, and have a good time.