Safewords

What Are Safewords?

Safewords are a critical safety feature in Helm that allow any member to quickly communicate their comfort level or need to pause. Inspired by the traffic light system commonly used in BDSM communities, safewords provide a clear, unambiguous way to communicate boundaries.

The Traffic Light System

Helm uses the standard traffic light safeword system:

Safeword	Meaning	Action
GREEN	All good, continue	Everything is fine, proceed as normal
YELLOW	Slow down, check in	Approaching a limit, need to pause or adjust
RED	Stop immediately	Full stop, something is wrong, need to address now

Using Safewords in Helm

Quick Access Button

A safeword link is always accessible on every authenticated page. Open the avatar / profile menu in the top-right corner of the navigation bar — "Safeword" is the fixed first item in that menu, above Account Settings and Logout, so it is never buried behind additional navigation. On mobile, tap your avatar initial to open the slide-out menu; "Safeword" appears as the first entry at the top of that panel.

How to Use

1. Click the Safeword Button
   Click the safeword icon (usually a shield or traffic light) wherever you see it.
2. Select Your Level
   Choose Green, Yellow, or Red based on your current state.
3. Add Context (Optional)
   Optionally add a note explaining the situation.
4. Submit
   Your safeword is logged and relevant parties are notified immediately.

What Happens When You Safeword

Green

• Logged for reference
• Optional notification to dominant
• Useful for check-ins and affirmations

Yellow

• Immediate notification to dominant(s)
• Logged with timestamp
• Prompts a check-in conversation
• May pause pending tasks (configurable)

Red

• Immediate urgent notification
• All pending tasks paused
• Prominently logged
• Requires acknowledgment before normal activities resume
• May trigger emergency contacts (if configured)

Configuring Safewords

In Account Settings

Configure your safeword preferences at Account Settings → Safewords:

• Enable/disable: Safewords are enabled by default
• Custom words: Use custom words instead of colors (optional)
• Notification preferences: How you're notified when others safeword
• Quick access: Where the button appears

Custom Safewords

If you prefer different words than the traffic light system:

1. Go to Account Settings → Safewords
2. Click "Use Custom Words"
3. Enter your three words (corresponding to green, yellow, red levels)
4. Save

Your custom words will appear in the safeword interface, but the underlying system (logging, notifications) works the same.

Safeword History

All safeword usage is logged for reference:

• View your own safeword history in Account Settings
• Dominants can see their submissives' safeword history
• History includes: date, time, level, context note, acknowledgment
• Helps identify patterns and facilitate conversations

For Dominants

Receiving Safewords

When your submissive uses a safeword:

• You receive an immediate notification
• The notification includes the level and any context
• Yellow and Red appear prominently on The Helm
• Red requires acknowledgment

Acknowledging Safewords

1. Receive Notification
   See the safeword alert on your dashboard or via notification.
2. Check In
   Communicate with your submissive to understand the situation.
3. Address the Issue
   Take appropriate action based on the situation.
4. Acknowledge in System
   Click "Acknowledge" to record that you've addressed the safeword.

Resuming Paused Tasks

When a safeword event pauses tasks, those tasks must be resumed individually per event — there is no single global "resume all" action. Each entry in Safeword History that has linked paused tasks shows its own Resume Tasks button once you have acknowledged that event. Clicking it opens a confirmation dialog before any tasks are restarted.

1. Acknowledge the Event
   The Resume button only appears after you have acknowledged the safeword log. Acknowledge it first using the Acknowledge button on the same history entry.
2. Click "Resume Tasks"
   A "Resume Tasks" button appears on the history entry for events that have linked paused tasks and have not already been resumed.
3. Confirm in the Dialog
   A confirmation dialog appears: "Resume all flagged and paused tasks from this safeword event? This cannot be undone." Confirm to proceed.
4. Resumed Badge Appears
   After successful resumption, a green Resumed badge with a timestamp replaces the Resume button on that history entry, confirming that the tasks for this specific event are reactivated.

Requesting Check-Ins

Dominants can request a safeword check-in:

1. Click "Request Check-In" on The Helm
2. Submissive receives a prompt to submit their current status
3. They choose Green, Yellow, or Red
4. You receive the response

Regular check-ins help maintain open communication and catch issues early.

Safeword Etiquette

For Submissives

• Use them: Safewords exist to be used - never hesitate
• Be honest: Choose the level that accurately reflects your state
• Add context: When possible, explain what triggered the safeword
• Don't fear consequences: Using a safeword should never result in punishment

For Dominants

• Always respect: Never question, dismiss, or punish safeword use
• Respond promptly: Especially to Yellow and Red
• Follow up: Have a conversation after the situation is addressed
• Create safety: Encourage safeword use and make it easy

When to Use Each Level

Use Green When:

• You want to affirm that everything is good
• Responding to a check-in request
• After resolving a Yellow or Red situation
• You want to communicate satisfaction

Use Yellow When:

• You're feeling overwhelmed but not in distress
• A task or expectation is pushing your limits
• You need to slow down or take a break
• You want to discuss something before continuing
• Something feels off but isn't an emergency

Use Red When:

• You need everything to stop immediately
• You're experiencing emotional or physical distress
• A boundary has been crossed
• You're having a crisis or emergency
• Continuing is not safe or healthy

Emergency Contacts

For Premium users, you can configure emergency contacts:

• Set up trusted contacts in Account Settings
• When a Red safeword is used, emergency contacts can be notified
• Configurable: immediate notification, delayed notification, or none
• Emergency contacts receive: alert that safeword was used, your designated message

Privacy

• Safeword history is private to your hierarchy
• Only you and hierarchy members can see your safewords
• Platform administrators cannot see safeword content
• You can export your safeword history in your data export