#Hiker stuck in quicksand how to

However, that doesn’t mean that quicksand deaths can’t happen. Statistics on deaths from quicksand are difficult to come by. Quicksand is often found near river deltas, tidal flats, lakes with sandy soil, and on beaches. Some may drown in quicksand if stuck in a spot near a large body of water, or a rising tide. Those people that happen to die in quicksand do not typically die from suffocating, but rather from exposure to the elements due to being stranded. Although the quicksand will not suck you under if you panic and struggle, you can pull yourself in deeper. When you step into quicksand, the sand and shallow water will separate and give way. This mush of wet sand allows you to sink because it cannot support significant weight. Quicksand is made of just ordinary sand particles, or very fine sand mixed with water. There are very few quicksand deaths per year. The danger of quicksand is actually minimal. In reality, quicksand is usually only a few feet deep, and what you see on the big screen rarely happens in real life. Well, at least that’s how it happens in Hollywood. What is the reality of death by quicksand? Do I need life insurance for death by quicksand?.Case Studies: Fictional Scenarios of Quicksand Incidents and Survival Techniques.What is the reality of death by quicksand?.Once both limbs are free, gently flip onto your belly and crawl to solid safety. It may take a while to remove your leg, but you’ll get it out eventually. Removing your leg in one fell swoop would require as much force as it does to lift a mid-sized car, so take your time. Water will slowly flood the sand around you, weakening the quicksand. Wiggle one leg in small circles and pull. With your upper body now serving as a counterweight, you can start pulling your legs out. You’ll sink if you stand, but you’ll float if you spread out on your back. Don’t panic about sinking-a pit of quicksand is like a swimming pool. If you’re ankle or knee deep, slowly sit down. That’s your route to escape-and the only way to do that is to move. But if that water can return, the sand’s grip should loosen. You’re sinking because the sand around your legs has lost water. With the water gone, the sand thickens, creating a vacuum that tugs you down. As you sink, your weight pushes water from the sand. Quicksand is what’s known as a non-Newtonian fluid, so it liquefies whenever there’s movement. They will make escaping more difficult (boots in particular become stubborn suction cups when in mud). Ditch your backpack and try wriggling out of your shoes. 2) Toss Your GearĪll that extra weight will make you sink faster. The more air you have in your lungs, the better you’ll float like a human cork. Even in the deepest quicksand, you won’t sink far past your midsection. 1) Calm Down!įorget what you’ve seen in movies - you’re not going to be sucked into a bottomless pit. Unless the tide rolls in while you’re stuck, you should be able to escape to safety. If you’re hiking alone and get that sinking feeling, don’t panic.

#Hiker stuck in quicksand how to

However, quicksand is still somewhat common near rivers, estuaries, and marshes, so it’s worth knowing how to get out. Despite what every corny '70s adventure flick may have led you to believe, you’re unlikely to run into quicksand in your day-to-day life.