You know, I have said this before and I realise that it is unlikely to happen... but I think one thing BDSM needs is some form of licensing. By which I mean, a means by which a Dom can practise a technique under the auspices of a trained expert and gain some form of qualification which shows that they are safe and competent in that technique. Now, I am aware that this does happen - I know a local Domme to me spent time learning how to use a single tail whip safely and that there are seminars and talks on all aspects of BDSM safety - however, this is by no means universal nor is it 'official'. You can say you were mentored by 'Master X' who is an expert in Technique Y or that you went to a seminar by Master X but the only thing Master X has to prove he is qualifed is his reputation. This leaves things wide open to abuse.

If, however, Master X is able to say that he completed a recognised syllabus in Technique Y leading to a 'competent Master' qualification in Y which covered all the safety aspects and risk assessments linked to it there is a more secure basis on which to apply that trust.

Probably a ludocrous suggestion beause a) you cannot do practical qualifications in something which is, technically, possibly illegal (as many aspects of BDSM are) and certainly part of a largely misunderstood and villified subculture any more than you could do a vocational degree in 'preparing street drugs for consumption' or 'car jacking for beginners' and b) The chances of more than one lifestyler getting together and actually being in agreement on anything are slim at best

Instead, what the experienced players have to do is make sure that they are aware of the newbies and are there to give advice when needed. Make sure that the risks are well known.

And yes, I agree that the risk of consent being withdrawn after the fact is a very real one. Even without the lack of legal recognition of BDSM consent (you cannot legally consent to anything that will harm you other than medical procedures and they have a lot of legal protection around them such as ethics committees) there is the issue that any court in the situation described will more than likely simply assume that any consent was acquired under duress.