Hi Cheyenne,

I still establish safe words in a first session, mainly because many clients expect it and think you are unprofessional if you don't. Personally I agree with you that they are limiting and when people really need to use them, that won't (like you described above) or don't have the clarity of thought to use them. So, when I establish safe words I also make it clear that this is not my first rodeo and that I am pretty good at figuring out when someone is near a limit, but that the words are there in the event they need them.

Domina M put her views on safe words very eloquently in a post in her forum and I couldn't say it any better. It's here.