my former Master and i had a safe word, at first... and at times i would call it out just cause i was being a wimp, sometimes just to test Him and see if He would stop, and sometimes because i needed it... after awhile it got the point where He knew my moves and my no's and my stops... that the safe word was not needed... it was still an option, but hardly needed.... Safe words are vital to gaining trust and should be in play at all times even during punishments... no matter how long a couple has been together.... not saying that it should be or has to be used but should be there... because once a limit is reached there is a new limit in its place that must now be reached...