Dungeon

A dungeon is a room or area that is used for a public or private play space to conduct BDSM activities.

Dungeon Monitors

A Dungeon Monitor, or DM, is a trained safety expert in many common forms of BDSM that is assigned by the venue owner or event host. Often they will have additional medical training as well, but not necessarily.  Generally they are well-respected, well-vetted members of the community who walk the dungeon(s) at events to ensure rules are being followed, nothing patently unsafe is occurring and that consent is being respected. They keep a trained eye on various scenes and observe to help ensure that everyone is safe.

Unlike most individuals, dungeon monitors have the privilage to interupt a scene (for safety purposes) as well as other liberties, though the specifics and scope of their powers may vary from venue to venue.  If you see something you believe to be patently unsafe, report it to the dungeon monitor, and if there is not one present, the host or venue owner.

Ten Tips for Dungeon Monitors

The following best practices suggestions were made by Jay Wiseman of greenery press [1]

• Know the party rules and the house rules.
• Don't play or overly socialize while on duty.
• Circulate. If an area hasn't been inspected in the last fifteen minutes, go look at it.
• Don't act with bias (positive or negative) to anybody.
• Intervene sooner rather than later.
• Intervene gently and diplomatically.
• Be ready for emergencies.
• Have proper training and equipment.
• Help provide minor assistance with matters such as food, trash, and music.
• Debrief after the party.

Dungeon Events

BDSM events of all kinds occur at dungeons. Check to see if your dungeon of choice has a website, online calendar, or other methods of posting local events. If you aren't sure where the local dungeons are, consider attending a Munch, usually the more experienced members will know how to put you in touch with local dungeon owners.  Be sure to make contact with dungeon staff before arriving, many of these venues are not open to the public and have special entry requirements.

Play Parties

Play Parties are scheduled, generally private events (usually held in a dungeon), that are conducted in an area designed for Play, often where several scenes may be conducted at once at different play stations. Generally a medium or larger sized play party will have a Host, Medical Staff and a DM.

Party Etiquette and Rules

No two parties will have identical rules and etiquette but this guide will be a great preparation for most parties you might go to.

• Do not speak about the venue or it's private experiences outside of the venue, to include it's location and purpose.
• You do not have to Consent to Play if you don't want to, it is fine just to watch.
• Do not offer to buy or sell sex in any territories where this practice isn't explicitly legal.
• Be sure to eat and properly hydrate in advance if you plan to engage in any sort of BDSM Play.
• Do not arrive under the effects of intoxicants, most venues ban the use of any inebriating substances on the premises.
• Ask about parking, a potential preferred dress code, and possible restrictions before leaving for your destination.
• Ask about the house rules if they are not clearly made available to you upon admittance, always respect these rules and ask for clarification where needed.
• Consider asking for a tour upon your first visit.
• Vetting processes, entry fees, picture ID validation, equipment inspection, temporary surrender of cell phones/contraband, and waivers are all common place. Do not be surprised if you experience one or more of these conditions of entry.
• Apply all principles of general munch etiquette.
• Do not interrupt the scenes of others. Do not walk or talk near their scenes.
• Most places allow watching a scene in progress, however it is impolite to gawk and leer with sexual intent without the explicit consent of those involved in the scene.
• Do not join a scene even if you see people walking up and joining in. They were prearranged as part of the negotiations. Unless someone inside the scene explicitly invites you, don't approach it.
• If you experience a consent violation or witness something you believe to be patently unsafe, inform the DM or venue owner.
• Be sure to properly Negotiate before entering a Scene.
• If you are a top new to the venue, expect that you might be asked to play with a house bottom or have a DM watch your first few scenes to ensure that you understand how to play safely and comply with the venue rules and guidelines.
• Do not perform any sort of Edge play without explicit permission from a DM or venue owner.
• Do not borrow, touch or use the private equipment or human property (as designated by a Collar) of others without explicit permission from the owner.
• Do not monopolize space, furniture, or equipment, allow others a chance to utilize the party features.
• If gunge, touching of the genitals or penetration of an orifice, or any other type of "messy play" is allowed, utilize a barrier to include when using equipment and furniture for these functions.
• Clean up after yourself. Wipe down all equipment and furniture used after the scene concludes. Utilize trash and recycling receptacles as appropriate. Clean your personal items before using them on someone else.