I hate to say it, but there are health risks to rimming. Herpes infections can and are found in and around the anus. I also doubt that rimming is safer than DATY.  Beyond herpes, you are at risk for hepatitis and other bacterial infections. I don't know what the statistics are, but the risks are real which should behoove you to proceed with caution. Check out www.thebody.com if you want to do some of your own research.

Good info.  The assumption that rimming is safer than DATY as far as HIV is probably correct, but for other STDs is probably the same.  I am attaching this link that I posted on the LA board, from a doctor, about the risks in rimming and oral sex. The good news is that it is very low risk for HIV, but you are at risk for other things if you do not, as Wanderlust said, proceed with caution.  Though this activity is not everyone's cup of tea, lots of hobbyists enjoy it and some providers do it.  Here's a couple of thoughts:
-Anyone who is into rimming or being rimmed should have the common sense to practice good hygeine-good shower or bath beforehand, with an antibacterial wash or soap-which would not kill herpes if it existed, but would reduce the risk of other potential bacteria.
-If you want to be totally safe, use plastic wrap or a latex barrier over the area.
-If you're into this you might want to check into being vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B
-Use common sense, if the provider does not seem to practice good hygeine then you might not want to chance it
-Afterwards, after your session use Listerine, it again is no defense against Herpes or STD's but will help ot protect against potential bacteria.  If a provider has herpes, and is in an outbreak where anyone would be exposed, IMHO she should not be seeing anyone to begin with.
This, like any and every other sexual activity is a matter of assessing the risks and proceeding with caution.

Re:Rimming??

I remember vaguely what a college buddy of mine used to say about this topic. " MMMMMM, hot fudge sunday!!!"

"The anus is were we withdraw all that our digestive system can't liquefy and therefore there is a lot of reservoir left over besides having blood vessels also exposed there."

Sorry to be graphic but, feces or waste is never stored in the anus or rectum unless a person is just about to evacuate, it is stored in the colon which is not involved in the activity being discussed.  If someone needs to go I seriously doubt they are going to let anyone rim them.  As far as open blood vessels, this could be an issue if someone has any cuts or abrasions in the area, which most times is highly unlikely.  What I think you are referring to in Belgium and Germany is the practice of wine enemas, which has that effect-the liquid enters the body through the blood vessels in the colon.  However-this is also the reason why anal sex without a condom is extremely high risk as if the insertive partner ejaculates inside the receiving partner, there is a very high chance that semen can enter the bloodstream.  If one uses a condom for anal sex and takes care, no bleeding should occur.  Look-these types of activities are not everyones bag I know, but for those who are there are ways to make them safer and lower risk; several links have been posted-the one by LoveDaddy was a good one-IMHO the provider or hobbyist who chooses to engage should stay informed about how to be as safe as possible.