All About Quicksand

In our day of the automobile and paved highway few people ever encounter quicksand. Yet quicksand is still common in many parts of country. It may be more dangerous for less being familiar.

Quicksand is usually found along the sea shores and in the beds of rivers. It is simply sand separates the grains. The suspended grains give rather easily and heavy object placed on the surface is likely to sink. How fast it sink is depends on its weight and surface area.

How does one detect quicksand? It cannot be done by the eye alone, since sand which looks firm may suddenly collapse and trap anyone who ventures out on it. The only way to be sure is to test the sand before walking on it. For test probing a pole or long stick should be used. If the pole sinks more than six inches, the sand is probably quicksand.

A traveler who stumbles into quicksand will soon sink to the depth of his knees. If he stands still or struggles wildly, he will sink even further. He should at once lie on his back and stretch out his arms. Contrary to popular notion, quicksand doesn’t suck object down, and will support more weight than water alone. While the trapped person “floats” on the surface of the sand, rescuers should build a platform with boards or branches. Then they can pull him out slowly.

If the trapped person is alone, he can rescue himself. When he is in the floating position. He should begin rolling toward solid ground. Rolling is the only way of getting free. It should be done with frequent rests, so that the trapped person does not tire himself, when he reaches solid ground, he should swing his legs to safety, and quickly scramble out of the quicksand.