Panic snap
Encyclopedia
Horse tack
Tack is a term used to describe any of the various equipment and accessories worn by horses in the course of their use as domesticated animals. Saddles, stirrups, bridles, halters, reins, bits, harnesses, martingales, and breastplates are all forms of horse tack...
, a panic snap is a mechanism often used between a lead and a horse harness
Horse harness
A horse harness is a type of horse tack that allows a horse or other equine to pull various horse-drawn vehicles such as a carriage, wagon or sleigh. Harnesses may also be used to hitch animals to other loads such as a plow or canal boat....
or halter
Halter
A halter, headcollar, or, less often, headstall, is headgear that is used to lead or tie up livestock and, occasionally, other animals; it fits behind the ears , and around the muzzle. To handle the animal, usually a lead rope or lead shank is attached...
. They are useful because, unlike swivels or carabiners and similar fittings, they can be disconnected under load, as the panic snap is specially built so that the latching mechanism is separate from the load-bearing structure.
They are sometimes dangerous, however, because leads or ropes under load can flail when freed. Panic snaps also find some use in suspension situations involving relatively light weights. Heavier masses are unsafe, with most panic snaps because of the possibility of injury from flailing cordage. They will usually require the services of a millwright
Millwright
A millwright is a craftsman or tradesman engaged with the construction and maintenance of machinery.Early millwrights were specialist carpenters who erected machines used in agriculture, food processing and processing lumber and paper...
.
Panic snaps are also used by motorcyclists. The snap is often connected to a braided leather strap which is connected to their left clutch lever. This type of connector allows the motorcyclist to quickly remove the snap from their lever in the event they have to protect themselves from another motorist while riding. The snap can easily be removed with the left hand while riding and provides a very effective weapon when swung by the other end of the strap. Sometimes you will see a long leather cord hanging by the handlebars on a motorcycle, this is the concept behind this decor.
In BDSM
BDSM
BDSM is an erotic preference and a form of sexual expression involving the consensual use of restraint, intense sensory stimulation, and fantasy power role-play. The compound acronym BDSM is derived from the terms bondage and discipline , dominance and submission , and sadism and masochism...
and bondage
Bondage (BDSM)
Bondage is the use of restraints for the sexual pleasure of the parties involved. It may be used in its own right, as in the case of rope bondage and breast bondage, or as part of sexual activity or BDSM activity.- Private bondage :...
panic snaps are used to secure bottoms
Bottom (BDSM)
In BDSM, a bottom or submissive is the partner in a BDSM relationship or a BDSM scene who takes the passive, receiving, or obedient role, to that of the top or dominant....
in a safe way. They allow for a single hand to be used to release a bottom in an emergency situation. In some case the panic snaps can be placed within reach of the bottom's hand in case the top should have an emergency, although this is not typical.
Panic snaps are also used on certain types of BDSM
BDSM
BDSM is an erotic preference and a form of sexual expression involving the consensual use of restraint, intense sensory stimulation, and fantasy power role-play. The compound acronym BDSM is derived from the terms bondage and discipline , dominance and submission , and sadism and masochism...
leather suspension gear for the same reasons as their use with rope. They are sometimes called quick release cuffs.
Note: if releasing a bottom in a suspension situation using panic snaps, the top and/or spotters should be fully supporting the weight of the bottom prior to release. One hand/arm can be used to hold the bottom, while the second hand releases the snap.