There are quite a fews post circulating online recently regarding keeping a rope bottom bag and what people ought to keep in it, while I don’t specifically have one, when at events etc. I do have certain essentials I like to have with me.

• Bio Oil – Particularly if I am performing, it helps SO much with rope marks, particularly ones from stressful suspensions where the rope may move slightly.
• Palmer’s Cream – reduces marks, scars and the nicest smelling best moisturiser I know of.
• Arnica Cream – bruise recovery.
• Hair ties / chopsticks – because individual hair snags suck and chopsticks can be taken out easier than a hair tie.
• Blanket / some form of warm comfort clothing – snuggles and self pampering after rope is always lovely.
• Water – Got to keep hydrated.
• Sugary drink and some carbs – Got to keep nourished, and after an intense scene sometimes a sugar rush is required.
• Slippers – Okay not really an essential but I can not think of a situation that does not require slippers. 😉

If I was tying with someone other than a regular rope partner I would also have the following:

• EMT Shears – if I were to be tied with someone other than Dave I would make sure I had a pair, then I am confident the rigger tying me has a reliable means of cutting the rope.
• Tenegui – So I am confident it is clean (I have a bit of a drool phobia when it comes to other peoples drool)
• Candles – So I know they are a temperature I find enjoyable. Surprise scaldings suck!

I would be interested to hear what you consider essentials for your rope scenes and why you consider them to be essentials.