Wearing Safely
The strap on a tracker has two jobs: hold the tracker stable, and not hurt your circulation. Most users figure this out instinctively. A few don’t, end up with bruises, and ask why.
How tight is “right”?
You should be able to slide a single finger between the strap and your skin without much effort. The tracker should not visibly shift when you flex the muscle underneath.
If you’re forcing your finger under, you’re too tight. If the tracker bounces around when you take a step, you’re too loose.
Warning signs you’re too tight
- Red marks lasting more than a few minutes after taking the strap off
- Pins-and-needles tingling in the lower limb
- Skin discoloration (pale or blue tint) below the strap
- Numbness
If you notice any of these during a session, stop and loosen the strap immediately.
Where to mount
Mount each tracker on a part of the limb where muscle movement won’t shift it — and not directly on a joint or a thin bony point. Strap-on-bone hurts and produces unstable tracking.
See Wearing Trackers for body-part-specific placement.
Other things to watch
- Strap migration during long sessions: if a strap slowly slides down your leg during play, you’ll find it loose at the end. Re-tighten between songs/levels, or move it up to a wider part of the muscle.
- Sweat: silicone tracker trays grip well, but a sweaty thigh will eventually slide. Wipe down between intense sessions.
- Hair: velcro picks up arm hair. Wear long sleeves or a thin underlayer if it bothers you.
Children
IBIS trackers are not toys, but they’re not dangerous to children old enough to follow basic VR safety. Same rules apply: don’t tighten straps to discomfort. Adult supervision while strapping is wise for younger users.
VR safety still applies
Trackers don’t change normal VR safety. Clear playspace, watch your guardian boundary, take breaks. Trackers can’t see your environment, so if you trip, the trackers won’t help.