I guess we all have to be really safety conscious. I have let 3 different people I have met for the very first time tie me up. One of those included being blindfolded and gagged too. The total loss of control, ultra vulnerability and being utterly at the other person's mercy is mind - blowing. Of course, there is also an edge of very real fear.
There has to be trust and, of course, it is wise to take precautions as many others have mentioned. 2 of the occasions I will briefly describe were at my own home. There is a very real added dimension of nervous tension there. Viz: I am married and my wife knows nothing of my ' kinky' interests / activities. The fear that she could return early, unnanounced, has to be dealt with. The third occasion was visiting a Dom who had his own dungeon - which evokes fear of a different type.
In every case, I had exchanged a lot of email messages with these people and also spoke to two of them on the phone. Moreover, I was also able to email other guys who had met them. So, although there could still be risks.....I felt comfortable enough ( although still very nervous ) to let them tie me up.
It worked out fine, but some of these 'Masters ' are cruel sadists ( well, it is only to be expected) who like to play nasty mind games. The first guy ( at my house ) had me stripped naked and tightly bound to a chair. Ankles tied to it, hands tied behind my back & then to the chair...also tied around the waist. Blindfolded and gagged.
He was the type of guy who menaces quietly. Very softly ( but sort of chillingly ) he outlined some of the ghastly 'tortures' he was going to inflict on me. But...he also whispered: "My, my, my.....I am going to enjoy this. But you....ask yourself this. Have you made a big mistake? You trusted me. Now. ..here you are. Completely naked. Completely helpless. Tightly bound. Blindfolded..you can't see. Gagged...you can't talk or yell or scream properly. Maybe I lied to you? I could be a seriously dangerous pervert. I can do anything to you.....anything I like....and you can't stop me...." Yes. I was scared, breathing hard....he then grabbed my penis and balls...squeezing and twisting them. Oh..it hurt alright. I moaned into the gag and my whole body involuntarily jerked. After...I don't know...maybe 20 seconds or so. ..he stopped wth me giving choked gasps. He slapped me on the bare shoulders...then gently around the face cheeks as he laughed. "Oh, that was fun. Relax....I am going to hurt you....but I am safe. You will be OK...." so saying, he grabbed my cock and slapped it....
The second home visit was from a guy who was more into caning, strapping, tawsing, flogging, whipping etc. During part of that session he had me tied ( naked and spreadeagled ) to an iron - framed bedstead. What is it with these Doms? During a 'recovery' spell ( after administering a severe ewhipping ), he anmounced that he was going downstairs to get himself a glass of water. He paused in the bedroom doorway." After that, I might just piss off and leave you here tied to the bed. That could be interesting when your wife comes home...." He disappeared. I heard him downstairs in the kitchen. Then I heard the front door open....and close!!! I didn't yell or scream...but I struggled against my bonds, violently and energetically. I was so scared. My heart was thundering. Very soon I was breathing hard and soaked in perspiration. I was swearing to myself. Then....my tormentor reappeared...laughing. "Oh...you poor boy..you ddn't really think I'd gone. .did you??? Ohhhh...such fun." The bastard!!! But, boy, was I ever relieved.
The dungeon was a different kind of stress.....allowing yourself to be tied to whipping frames and torture racks etc. It does take guts. It is scary...and you really do have to trust the guy ( or lady ) who is punishing you......totally and utterly.