There is often a great deal of discussion on these three simple words, and what they mean.  Each of us brings a lifetime of different experiences, culture, and viewpoints to the equation, so what they mean to Me, may be VERY different from what they mean to you or someone else.  The real task then, is to set up a working definition of the terms and what they mean.  So for better or worse, after much discussion and learning from the wisdom of others, here is what _I_ use these terms to mean.  Your mileage may vary, of course...

SAFE - Safe does NOT mean risk free.  Almost everything we do in this lifestyle carries with it the risk of injury, great bodily harm, or even death if an accident happens. Safe means that we have educated ourselves about what we are doing, understand the risks involved and have _MINIMIZED_ the risks involved.  We have first aid kits and fire extinguishers, shears and other tools for extraction close at hand, a working phone close by for a call to 911 if needed. We have practiced what we are doing and have worked up to that edge. We watch closely for signs of trouble, panic, injury, and stop the scene and fix the problem before going on.  THAT is what "Safe" BDSM means to Me.

Safe BDSM also means practicing safe (or "safer") sex techniques. The use of physical barriers such as latex condoms, dental dams, and vaginal condoms is a must, particularly for those who play with multiple partners.  Let's be realistic here.  With the advent and rise in cases of AIDS, both hepatitis-B and -C, herpes, and numerous other diseases that can be spread through shared bodily fluids (those nasty "blood borne pathogens") we can not be too careful.  Ideally, in the communication/negotiation stage medical questions will be asked like "Do you have a heart problem?  Asthma?  Any STD's?" and so on. And hopefully they will be answered honestly.  But using universal precautions are the safest way to go, particularly if you do not know your play partner very well.

And while we are at it, lets make sure that our TOYS are kept safe in this regard as well.  If you can afford it, keep a separate "toy locker" for each play partner, with the toys used for only THAT partner.  This means you are not exposing your partners to each other.  Or, a more economically feasible solution is that each person supplies their own toys. Bob's toys are only used on Bob, Mary's toys are only used on her.  This may have the added emotional benefit in that it may also increase the sense of intimacy between partners in that it makes the toys "special", "unique", to him/her.
 

CONSENTUAL - I think this one is the easiest to work with. Consentual means that ALL parties involved, with INFORMED consent , agree to what is going to be done.

Informed consent means that the scene is negotiated if it is between people who are not in a long term relationship or who do not know each other VERY well. For those in a LTR or contractual relationship or who are well known to each other, a scene should at least be discussed beforehand. My friends, in My opinion, alcohol and scenes do not mix for several reasons, but since we are on consent here, I'll limit My reasons to this issue; legally speaking, you MUST be clean and sober to give informed consent.  Any detectable amount of alcohol or drugs (even over the counter meds can make you loopy!) in your blood-stream may impair your judgment.  The LAST thing you want is to get hauled to jail on a Rape or Criminal Sexual Conduct charge because YOU were feeling toasty, or your partner was blitzed when they said, "Sure!  You can whip me and fuck me hard!  I want it rough!"

And for those who might think otherwise, Master/slave relationships do not absolve the slave OR the Master/Mistress, of responsibility for the slave's well-being.  In the eyes of the law, you MUST exercise due caution and care or liability sets in. And, if nothing else, it is the slaves responsibility to understand what is going on so as to be able to provide the Master/Mistress with the best experience they can have, and to REDUCE the liability to the Master/Mistress should an accident happen.  The submissive is the one most at risk here for injury or death should something go wrong, and it is the Dominant who will suffer the legal consequences.  An injured slave may mean assault charges or a lawsuit.   And Heaven forbid, but a dead slave = a murder charge at worst, a negligent homicide charge at best.  Lets be real here for a minute. The law cares not one wit that a slave may have given up all rights to Master/Mistress. Consent must be given, and it must be INFORMED consent .  'Nuff said.

SANE - Here is the real sticky one.  Just what IS "sane", anyway?  Is it defined as: "this is the view of the overwhelming majority of people"?  Is sane "dealing with reality"?  Trying to define sane is like trying to catch a well greased submissive.... Difficult at best.  Again, the knowledge of others prevails upon Me, and I defer to the experience and wisdom shown in these words:

"Sane, in the context of a BDSM relationship, means that what is being done is for the pleasure of ALL parties involved.  Sane means that there is a positive mental, emotional, spiritual, and/or physical experience intended for all parties involved."

Any other intention is not sane.  If you want to beat a submissive because you are angry and because it makes you feel good to beat them; if I need to humiliate, belittle and embarrass you because that is the only way I feel my Dominance, if you have to provoke your Dominant because you want to feel their emotional involvement, something is wrong on a very fundamental level.  It's time to take a deep look inside and see what it is you are really needing.

Even discipline should be done lovingly, to bring about a positive mental and emotional experience.  Discipline should not be done in anger, for then the intention is simply to punish, not to correct the offending or inappropriate behavior.  It might get the point "DON'T say THAT to Master again", but your objective as a Dominant should be to make your submissive WANT to please you.  It should not be to make them AFRAID to displease you.

Anyway, those are My thoughts on the subject of Safe, Sane, Consentual.  Use what you will from them for what they are worth.