Buzz
Imagine you're camping in the wilderness, lost in thought, when suddenly you find yourself standing on a patch of quicksand, sinking rapidly. Will you suffocate in the muddy sludge? Not necessarily! Contrary to what movies portray, quicksand isn't as dangerous as it seems; it's a real-world phenomenon. Any type of sand or mud can turn into quicksand if it absorbs enough water and/or is subjected to vibrations, such as those caused by earthquakes. Here’s what you need to do if you ever feel yourself sinking into quicksand.
Steps
Lift Your Feet Out of Quicksand
Discard everything. If you find yourself stuck in quicksand while carrying a backpack or something heavy, immediately remove the backpack or drop what you’re carrying. Since your body has a lower density than quicksand, you won’t fully sink unless you panic and thrash around excessively or are weighed down by heavy items.
- If possible, take off your shoes. Shoes, especially those with flat and inflexible soles (like high boots), create suction that keeps your feet trapped as you try to pull them out. If you anticipate encountering quicksand, consider going barefoot or wearing shoes that allow you to easily slip your feet out.
Move sideways. If you feel your feet getting stuck, take a few quick steps backward before the quicksand can fully grip them. It usually takes a minute for the quicksand mixture to liquefy, which means the best way to escape is to avoid getting trapped in the first place.
- If your feet are stuck, avoid taking large steps to try and free yourself. A big step might free one foot but sink the other deeper, making it much harder to escape the quicksand pit entirely.
Lie on your back. Sit down and lie back if your feet are sinking quickly. Creating a larger “footprint” can help free your feet by reducing the pressure they exert, allowing them to rise more easily. Once you feel your feet loosening, roll away from the quicksand pit to escape its grip. You’ll get dirty, but it’s the quickest and safest way to free yourself.
Don’t rush. If you’re stuck in quicksand, frantic movements will only make things worse. Whatever you do, take it slow. Slow movements prevent you from agitating the quicksand; vibrations caused by quick motions can turn solid ground into quicksand more easily.
- More importantly, quicksand can react unpredictably to your movements. Moving slowly allows you to avoid adverse reactions and prevents you from sinking deeper. Patience is key. Depending on the amount of quicksand around you, it could take minutes or even hours to methodically free yourself.
Escaping a Deep Quicksand Pit
Stay calm. Quicksand is usually no deeper than a meter, but if you fall into an exceptionally deep pit, you could quickly sink up to your waist or chest. Panicking will make you sink faster, but if you relax, your body’s natural buoyancy will help you float.
- Take deep breaths. Deep breathing not only keeps you calm but also makes you more buoyant. Keep as much air in your lungs as possible. It’s impossible to “sink” if your lungs are filled with air.
Lean back and “swim.” If you’re sinking up to your hips or higher, lean backward. The more you distribute your body weight, the harder it is to sink. Keep your body afloat on your back as you slowly and carefully pull your legs free. Once your legs are out, you can inch toward safety by gently moving your arms and pushing your body backward in a slow, swimming-like motion. When you reach the edge of the quicksand, roll onto solid ground.
Use a stick. Carry a walking stick if you’re in an area known for quicksand. As soon as you feel yourself sinking to your ankles, place the stick horizontally on the quicksand surface behind your back. Then lean back onto the stick. After a minute or two, you’ll achieve balance on the quicksand and stop sinking. Reposition the stick under your hips to prevent them from sinking, allowing you to slowly free one leg and then the other.
- Stay on your back with your arms and legs fully touching the quicksand surface, using the stick as a guide to inch your way to solid ground.
Take regular breaks. Freeing yourself can be exhausting, so proceed cautiously and conserve energy to avoid exhaustion.
- Move quickly, however, as the pressure from the sand can restrict blood flow and cause nerve damage, numbing your legs and making self-rescue nearly impossible without help.
- Contrary to popular movies or TV shows, most deaths don’t occur from being sucked under but from prolonged exposure to the sun or drowning when the tide rises.
Avoiding Quicksand
Recognize common quicksand areas. Since quicksand isn’t a specific type of soil, it can form anywhere groundwater mixes with sandy soil, creating a thick, muddy mixture. Learning to identify potential quicksand locations is the best way to avoid it. Quicksand is often found in:
- Tidal flats
- Marshes and dense grassy areas
- Near lake shores
- Near underground streams
Watch for ripples. Always be cautious of surfaces that appear wet and unstable, or sandy areas with unusual “ripples” on the surface. You might notice water seeping through the sand, making quicksand easier to spot if you pay attention to your path.
Test the ground ahead with a walking stick. Always carry a sturdy stick, both for use if you accidentally step into quicksand and to tap the ground ahead as you move. A few seconds of probing can make the difference between struggling in quicksand and having a safe walk.
Tips
- If you’re camping with someone in an area where quicksand might be a risk, bring at least 6 meters of rope. This way, if one person gets stuck, the other can safely stand on solid ground and pull them out. If the person on solid ground isn’t strong enough, tie the rope securely to a tree or another sturdy object so the trapped person can pull themselves free.
- Stay relaxed and keep a clear mind to avoid unnecessary stress.
Warnings
- Walking barefoot might not necessarily protect you from quicksand and could instead expose you to parasites like hookworms or threadworms that can penetrate your skin.
What You’ll Need
- A sturdy walking stick
- Rope
- Flotation device
