I am just about to head into the wide world of "Hobby" and my one concern is for my personal safety.  I am the sort of guy who over thinks just about everything , and I am concerned about contracting something.  Am I safer with a well reviewed provider, and would one of her previous clients report a health issue?  Are there some rules that I can follow that will basically ensure my protection (and yes I realize that nothing is totally safe in this world)?  Is it acceptable to ask a provider if they are tested regularly, or if they are healthy?   I simply want to be as safe as possible without being a jackass.

If you always wear your hat You are pretty safe.
IMHO it's OK to ask I don't think TER allows public disclosure Usually done with PM

You will see its a much safer place than the real world !

and yes, you are safer seeing well reviewed providers.  Remember, by the time a lady reaches well reviewed status, she has devoted her her life and livelyhood, and in many cases providing for her children, to providing pleasure to men, and takes her work very seriously.  It does her absolutely no good to take chances.

As for asking about her testing regime, I usually don't, but don't think most well reviewed providers will be offended (ladies please correct me if I am wrong), however if you raise the subject, you should also be prepared to provide the same information you are asking for.  In my experience, and from the times this has come up in conversation with providers, I believe that most of the well reviewed providers I've seen do have themselves regularly tested, and also believe that the quality gentlemen of the community are also quite responsible.

I hope you have fun in the hobby, and as Ciera indicated, a visit with a well reviewed provider is far less of the crap shoot health wise, than taking home a lady from the bar on a Friday night.

Be safe, and have fun!!!

Pardon my ignorance (After all, this IS a newbie board, no?) but can anyone tell me what IMHO stands for? I've seen it in a few reviews and am not sure what it refers to. Thanks!

I feel much safer on a race track leaned over at 45 degrees with my knee-pucks draggin' the asphalt at 100+ mph with the next racer only inches away than I do on Ventura Blvd at 25mph. Professionalism of those sharing the track with me is why. The same analogy is true comparing the hobby with the civvie world. No one goes on the track without a helmet, full leathers, boots and inspected equipment. On the boulevards as with the civvie world you find anything but...

 FR.