Safewords, Signals, and Monitoring
Communication systems help people pause or stop an activity, especially when ordinary speech is ambiguous.
Design a usable signal
Choose a verbal and nonverbal signal that participants can actually perform. Practice recognizing it before beginning; consider situations where speech or movement may be limited.
Recognize failure modes
A signal may be forgotten, physically unavailable, or impossible to communicate. Watch for confusion, freezing, and inability to respond, and stop if communication becomes unreliable.
Understanding the subject
Common traffic-light language uses green for continuing, yellow for slowing or checking in, and red for stopping. These meanings must be explicitly agreed; no universal code can be assumed. When speech may be restricted, establish an accessible nonverbal signal and ensure it can actually be used. Participants should understand that a signal is an immediate instruction, not an invitation to negotiate while continuing.
Applying the knowledge responsibly
Observe changes in breathing, movement, affect, and coordination, without assuming those observations reveal consent. If a signal fails or someone cannot communicate, stop and reassess. The safer default in uncertainty is to end the activity and check on the person.