Fisting

Because there are no pain receptors past the arsehole, it is recommended to be fully alert during fisting as drugs and alcohol can desensitise you even more. If you do plan to use drugs or alcohol make sure you are still in control so you are able to communicate your limits to the top. The top also needs to be in control, if the top is too high they can misread the bottoms signals and possibly cause damage. Some fistees report experiencing a little bleeding, also known as a little bit of pink (enough to turn lube pink); this usually suggests a small cut and probably isn’t serious. However if the bleeding is bright, red it is a sign to stop and might be an indication of more serious damage. Other signs of injury are severe cramps, weakness, chills and fever. A sharp pain in the shoulder can be a warning sign of serious damage to the bowel.

The art of fisting is to relax enough so that stretching of the sphincter and anal canal doesn’t involve too much force. Trust + relaxation = safer, more pleasurable fisting.

Lube It Up

When it comes to fisting there is no such thing as too much lube. Use plenty of lube not only to minimise the risk of breaking skin, but to get the maximum pleasure out of the experience. Do not share lube with others when fisting and have your own supply.

Avoid contaminating lubricant. Write your name on the container and do not share it. If you are fisting more than one person wash your hands with warm water and plenty of soap in between people. Don’t forget to wash your arms too and make sure you change gloves for each guy you fist.

Water-based lubes (e.g. Wet Stuff, Glyde, KY) tend to dry out quicker than other lubes, getting gummy and sticky, and making them less than ideal in a fisting session. Since latex gloves break and degrade on contact with oil-based lubes (e.g. Crisco, which is the preferred lube for fisting), the solution is to use polyurethane and nitrile (PVC) gloves/ and latex free condoms for fucking. For extra slide – some guys use an oil-based lube like Crisco, and over it in water-based lube like J-lube as oil and water do not mix and can create more slip.

Seeing Red

If bleeding occurs, note the colour, is it dark or pink, is it dripping rather than bum-snotty clots? Noticeable quantities of bright red blood are a sign to stop. If there is more than a small amount of blood in the stool a few hours after play don’t delay — get medical attention as soon as possible. Be honest about what has happened or you may get all kinds of incorrect or dangerous diagnoses.

The ‘STI’ in FISTING

Because the tissue of the rectum is delicate and tears easily, it is possible to have microscopic amounts of blood present during fisting. This blood can carry enough Hepatitis C virus (HCV) to be a transmission risk. The Hepatitis C virus can survive for long periods of time outside the body and the virus is highly contagious, so particular care needs to be taken with gloves and clean lube when fisting. In addition, the presence of the tiniest amount of shit during fisting means that other STIs such as Hepatitis A and Shigella can be passed on too. Take extra care to keep any shit away from the eyes, open sores and the mouth

The use of gloves during fisting will minimise the risk of transmission of HIV and other STIs such as Hepatitis C. You may find that pre-powdered gloves may irritate the arse.

If you decide not to use condoms but want to cut the risk of HIV being passed on, think about fucking first, then fisting. Fisting first is more likely to cause bleeding in the arse, making barebacking afterward especially risky for passing on or picking up HIV

Get to the Bottom of Things

If you are new to fisting, don’t let a beginner experiment on you. Instead, put your arse in the hands of an experienced fister. Men, who get fisted, often have an douche beforehand to reduce mess. When it comes to inserting things up your arse, start small and work your way up to bigger toys. Remember, the most sensitive part of your arse is the anus not the rectum.

Practice with large dildos to learn stretching and relaxing. It can take some time to get to the point of being able to take a whole hand up your arse; pushing too hard or fast can cause damage. Breathing deeply helps relax arse muscles and, as with being fucked, pushing out (as if trying to shit), then pulling in with your arse muscles, often helps get the fist through the arse hole.

Some fistees might prefer drugs to relax them for the act – such as poppers or ketamine – but using chems or drinking increases the risk of injury, as you’re less likely to feel pain or notice something going wrong. Fisting involves pushing your limits, and for some, the feeling of a man reaching deep inside them can’t be beaten.

 If you want to feel your ring being stretched and your insides probed like never before sometimes a cock isn’t always enough. The bottom doesn’t always get hard due to the stimulation, some guys do get an erection for some or part of the time. 

The best position to be fisted in is whatever feels the most comfortable, the bottom needs to have their spine as straight as possible, for some guys this is in a sling, others prefer on all fours or just lying on their back with their legs in the air in a sling. It is not ideal to play with someone you don’t trust or know, but if you decide to, make sure you clearly establish limits and safe words.

Top to Bottom

To avoid open nicks and cuts on the hands it is best to trim and file nails with an emery board. File fingernails well in advance – preferably a day before to allow small nicks and cuts on the hands to close. To test the sharpness of your fingernails, run them across your tongue. If they feel sharp, smooth them. Check for nicks and cuts on your hands and arms. A sharp stinging sensation when lightly rubbing alcohol on the skin is a clear indication of ‘non-visible’ abrasions which can increase the risk of STI/ HIV transmission. Hand sanitizer also works well for this, take off your jewelry to reduce the risk of cuts. Allocate enough paper towels per person before you start the session to avoid transmission of any STIs such as Hepatitis C and if you are using conventional terry towels use one per person.

You can never have too much lube. Water-based lube like KY dries out too fast, J-Lube is a good water-based lube. Crisco (a lard-type oil-based cooking fat) is used by many fisters but, like all oil-based lubes, it weakens latex condoms and latex gloves. A lubed finger is inserted into a well-lubed arse, and then several more fingers follow, adding extra lube each time the hand moves in and out. When the sphincter opens wide enough, the whole hand goes in, with thumb pressed against palm, fingers pointing forward. A clenched fist-shape can usually only be made once in the rectum (the first space past the arse hole) is reached.

It is important not to rush things and just relax, take your time and have fun. Avoid sudden movements when inside him and always pull out very slowly to avoid injury. When your hand first enters the arse, the sensation is like being fucked by a large cock, but more powerful. Most cocks aren’t wide or long enough to do what a fist can; fill the rectum, prod the far side or go through the lower colon; so taking a hand is much more intense.

The further you go in the arse, the more delicate the internal tissues and lining in the rectal or colon walls become. If his arse clenches, wait for it to relax before pulling out very slowly to avoid injury. Then try gentle in and out movements, without pulling out totally, and changing speed, angle and depth. The fistee’s groaning will let you know whether to pause or press on. Change hands to test different angles if necessary. Fisting, especially if too quick, can tear the lining of the inside of the arse.

Remember: The same lube container shouldn’t be used when several men are being fisted. Blood from one arse (maybe too small to even see) can contaminate the lube and end up going into another guy’s arse. Furthermore, once you have started fisting someone, don’t touch anything else apart from his arse and his lube; any surface you touch once you have started (sling chains for example) can potentially become contaminated with the Hepatitis C virus. If it is inevitable to touch other things, discard the gloves if you use any and use a new pair. If you do not use gloves, wash your hands or sanitise them thoroughly.

Once a fisting session has ended it is a good idea to provide some sort of aftercare, which basically means looking after yourself and your partner/s. Fisting can take a lot out of you emotionally and physically. Once the session is over the bottoms blood sugar can drop, helping them out of the sling or getting them into a comfortable position is a good idea. Keep sugary drinks or Gatorade on hand to help them return to normal. Make sure the bottom is warm enough, keeping a blanket on hand is good for this, a shower after a scene does wonders to bring you back to normal after play. The bottom can also check in with the top and ask if they’re doing okay. Comfort for both players afterward is an important part of play. With fisting and other intense sessions one or both players can feel and emotion drop, so being there for one another is important. It’s also a great time to talk about what was hot and what got them off, or what they might try next time.