![]() ![]() Second, don't just ask someone who's nearby to pull you out of the quicksand. You risk being dragged down further if you struggle. First, though it may be hard advice to follow, try not to panic. If you do stumble upon quicksand, here are a few tips about what to do next. What Should You Do If You Step in Quicksand? Credit: tzahiV/ iStock Such fatalities are rare, but they've happened even as recently as 20. In some situations, such as when water levels rise due to incoming tides, people can drown when they're trapped in place by quicksand. He experienced hypothermia, exposure, and other injuries before he could be rescued. A man hiking in Utah's Zion National Park in 2019 was sucked into quicksand and remained stuck for hours. For one thing, it takes time for anyone to get themselves out of it. That doesn't mean quicksand isn't dangerous, though. If you go into quicksand feet first, buoyancy will keep you from sinking much more than waist-deep - though your legs are denser, your lungs offer enough upthrust to keep your head above the surface. Fortunately, despite what’s shown in movies and on television, you don't need to worry about being swallowed up and disappearing beneath the surface.Ī human body is less dense than quicksand (one gram per milliliter for humans vs. ![]() It's true that if you ever step into quicksand, you'll start sinking into its murky depths. How Dangerous Is Quicksand? Credit: Daniel Lee Nutley/ Shutterstock Quicksand can also be created when water escapes from an underground reservoir, perhaps due to a natural disaster. Quicksand can form in any location where water and sand meet, such as near rivers, lakes, beaches, marshy areas, and natural springs. In Brazil, quicksand was found around a lagoon where bacteria created a crust that looked like the regular ground but turned into quicksand when stepped on. The presence of salt results in clay particles clumping together instead of intermingling with the grains of sand, and adds to quicksand's instability.īut some quicksands form without the presence of salt. Quicksand often has salt and clay mixed in as well. ![]() This saturation occurs when water isn't able to flow away, usually due to the presence of dense material, such as a bed of clay that stops drainage. However, unlike slightly damp beach sand, quicksand is saturated with water. What Is Quicksand Made Of? Credit: Bert Hardy/ Picture Post via Getty ImagesĪt first glance, quicksand looks like wet sand you typically see at the beach, which explains why people step in it without thinking twice. ![]()
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