• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Alterables

Free Content for Your Website

Home / Articles / Is Quicksand Real? Is it Deadly?

Is Quicksand Real? Is it Deadly?

Last Updated on September 11, 2021
by Philip Page

Fun Web Hits Member Banners, Get Yours Today


This content is licensed under CC BY 4.0. If you use this content please attribute Philip Page via https://alterables.com/ as a contributor of your adapted content.
hand reaching out from beneath sand
Image © Deposit Photos

Quicksand is a common obstacle and life threat in movies. It has always been pictured as a deadly trap that you are unlikely to ever escape.

Everyone has seen terrifying images of people or animals simply sinking and dying in quicksand.

But the perception of fatal quicksand is inaccurate and exaggerated – quicksand can’t and won’t kill you.

Is Quicksand a Real Thing?

Quicksand is real and not just another invention to make movies more interesting. But it works very different in real life than in the action scenes.

It’s so not that horror trap that will kill you within a few minutes.

Hollywood movies and their exaggerated scenarios have created the misconception that quicksand can completely draw people under and kill them. That could never happen because humans (and animals as well) just float in it and couldn’t sink all the way under.

Why? They just don’t have the proper density. The density of the body is way lower than sand so it’s impossible to sink and die in quicksand. It’s just a myth.

What is Quicksand?

Quicksand is a combination of fine sand, water and sometimes clay. It is usually pretty tight and heavy so it can sometimes actually support your weight without sinking.

But if it contains too much water, the grains of sand will loosen up and draw you under.

A person can sink according to her weight. Anyway, when a person gets caught in quicksand, he or she will only sink up to the knees or waist.

How Can You Escape Quicksand?

The only grain of truth about quicksand is that it will pull you down faster if you panic and start to struggle desperately.

Fast movements won’t help you get out. On the contrary – you will only sink deeper. They will make quicksand liquefy and the body will sink deeper.

Quick movements will also make escaping difficult, because as after the grains loosen up, their viscosity of the sand rises so you’ll get trapped.

When you get trapped in quicksand you should try to lie down in order to distribute your weight evenly instead of struggling. Shifting your feet or weight back and forth will only make matters worse.

If you’re too frightened to lie down, the best way to get out is to slowly and gradually move your legs. This will allow water to flow and sand to loosen.

When you move slowly your body will escape and come back to the surface. Still, no matter how much you struggle, you won’t sink so much to get completely swallowed and to die in the quicksand. It won’t drag you so much as to drown you or even to compress your vital organs.

Where is Quicksand Found?

Quicksand can actually be found anywhere under the right conditions. So you won’t only find it in deserts or swamps as in the movies.

But usually it is pretty harmless and won’t pose any serious threat to your life. The only bad thing that could happen would be to get dehydrated if you get stuck and don’t know how to get out.

But that could happen if you get stuck in the elevator too.

The Final Word

So, there is no such thing as killer quicksand. It’s just a misconception. Quicksand does exist and getting stuck in it is definitely not a pleasing experience, but it’s not a death trap as it’s pictured in the movies.

If you do sink in quicksand by accident, you might lose some hours of your life, not life itself.

Filed Under: Reference and Education, Survival and Emergency
Tagged With: myth, quicksand, sand, trapped

This content is licensed under CC BY 4.0. If you use this content please attribute Philip Page via https://alterables.com/ as a contributor of your adapted content.

Primary Sidebar

About Author

Philip Page

Philip created Alterables to serve webmasters who need quality articles or images and don't have the budget to hire an outside writer yet.

Homepage

More Articles by This Author

- Understanding Saint Bernard Drool: Causes & Tips
- Unlock Good Hidden Talents Within You Today!
- 7 Unpopular Opinions: Surprising Takes on Hot Topics
- 5 Fun Jobs That Spark Joy & Pay Well
- Common Pet Peeves – What Really Grinds Your Gears?

Recent Articles by All Authors

  • Can You Use Hand Soap as Body Wash? Find Out!

    Curious about using hand soap for a full-body cleanse? Discover if hand soap can double as body wash and what you need to know for your skin care. Read more… →

  • Understanding Saint Bernard Drool: Causes & Tips

    Discover why your Saint Bernard drool occurs and get practical tips to manage it for a happier, cleaner home with your gentle giant. Read more… →

  • Unlock Good Hidden Talents Within You Today!

    Discover and unleash your good hidden talents with our tips and insights. Begin your journey to self-improvement and hidden skill mastery today! Read more… →

  • Finding Solace: Comforting Words to Uplift You

    Embrace healing with our selection of comforting words designed to uplift your spirits and bring peace to your day. Read more… →

  • 7 Unpopular Opinions: Surprising Takes on Hot Topics

    Get ready to challenge the status quo with our list of 7 unpopular opinions that will reshape how you view today's hot topics. Read more… →

#1 RECOMMENDED REGISTRAR

Popular Domains for just 99 Cents at Namecheap!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Footer

Alterables Info

  • Blog
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
Mailing Address
9164 Eastchase Parkway
Suite 127
Montgomery, AL 36117
334-245-4316

Redland Media Brands

  • Yard and Garage
  • Just About Cyprus
  • Scout It Up
  • Generators List
  • RSS

For Publishers

  • Publisher Terms of Service
  • Frequently Asked Questions

For Authors

  • Author Terms of Service
  • Submission Guidelines
  • How to Become an Author

© 2018-2024 Alterables.com