Safewords are mandatory.
You can and should be able to use them any time.
Anyone (top, bottom, sub,dom) who says otherwise? Don’t play with them. Don’t go near them. They are dangerous.
Consent is paramount. Communication is paramount.
Anyone who ignores that is unworthy of your time.
If they’re gonna gag you, and they don’t establish a signal to replace the safeword? Don’t play with them. Don’t go near them. They are dangerous.