Quicksand is often portrayed as a deadly trap, but it is manageable. This material is a patch of water-saturated sediment—a mixture of fine sand, clay, and saltwater—that loses stability when disturbed. It behaves as a non-Newtonian fluid, meaning its viscosity changes under stress; it appears solid until pressure causes it to liquefy. Understanding how this substance works is the first step in surviving an encounter and achieving a safe escape.
Understanding Quicksand’s Properties
Quicksand’s density prevents a person from fully sinking and being completely submerged. The quicksand mixture has a density of approximately 2 grams per milliliter, which is about double the average density of the human body (around 1 gram per milliliter). This difference ensures the human body is naturally buoyant within the material. A person will typically sink only until they are waist-deep before the upward force of buoyancy prevents further descent.
The danger of quicksand is not sinking completely, but becoming entrapped. When struggling, the quicksand tightens around submerged limbs, forming a highly viscous, dense sediment. The force required to pull a foot straight out can be enormous, sometimes equivalent to lifting a medium-sized car. This intense resistance means struggling against the material is counterproductive and will only exhaust you.
Immediate Actions Upon Falling In
The first action is to stop moving immediately and control your breathing. Panic is the primary threat, as rapid, thrashing movements cause the quicksand to liquefy further, increasing the rate of sinking. The goal is to avoid creating the vacuum effect that seals the material around your body.
Consciously spread your weight out by leaning back slightly to increase your surface area on the quicksand. If you are carrying a backpack, heavy boots, or other weighty items, drop them immediately to lighten your load. Reducing your overall density improves buoyancy and helps you float higher. A calm approach preserves energy and prevents the quicksand from tightening its grip.
The Step-by-Step Escape Technique
Once you have stopped sinking, slowly shift your body into a horizontal position. Gently lean backward, spreading your arms wide onto the surface of the quicksand, similar to floating on your back in water. This maximizes your surface area, distributing your weight over a larger area and making it impossible to sink further than chest-deep.
Begin a slow, methodical “rocking” motion, carefully wiggling your submerged legs and hips. This small, circular movement introduces air and water around your trapped limbs, which helps dilute the dense sand sediment and reduce its viscosity. Focus on freeing one leg at a time, moving it side-to-side rather than pulling straight up.
After loosening the quicksand’s hold on one leg, slowly bring it up toward the surface and repeat the rocking and wiggling process with the other leg. This process takes time, as the quicksand releases its hold slowly, but patience is necessary to avoid re-activating the suction. Once both legs are free and you are floating on your back, use your arms to perform a slow, backstroke-like movement to paddle toward the nearest solid ground. Continue this gentle “swimming” motion until you can safely roll your body onto firm land.