Quicksand Is Indeed Real: What You Should Know.

Recently, a beachgoer gained attention after getting stuck in quicksand while picking up litter at Popham Beach State Park, a popular spot in Phippsburg, Maine. Jamie Acord shared with the Associated Press that she sank up to her hips and “couldn’t feel the bottom.” Thankfully, her husband, Patrick, rescued her, and she emerged shaken but unharmed. They were astonished to see that the “hole” she had fallen into vanished as soon as she was pulled out, returning to its undetectable state.

Sean Vaillancourt, a park manager, informed WGME 13, the local CBS news affiliate, that Acord isn’t the only one to have encountered quicksand at Popham Beach State Park this year. A representative from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry explained to the AP that the quicksand patches at Popham Beach were created as recently as this winter, due to a nearby river altering its course and encroaching on popular beach areas. This river shift is believed to have been influenced by storms potentially intensified by climate change.

In the meantime, the news had everyone online wondering, “Wait, is quicksand really a thing?!”

The answer is a resounding yes.

What is quicksand?

Quicksand occurs when sand becomes overly saturated with water or air. This saturation diminishes the space between individual sand grains, reducing friction and causing the sand to become unstable, unable to bear weight. Quicksand often resembles any other sandy area, making it easy for most people to miss until they inadvertently step into it. According to Scientific American, quicksand usually appears near natural springs, riverbanks, and beaches during low tide, but is not common in desert environments.

Is it possible to die from sinking in quicksand?

As alarming as it sounds, drowning in quicksand isn’t something you need to fret about. Hollywood portrayals of individuals fully submerging in quicksand within minutes, a frequent trope in films from the 1950s to the ’80s, are significantly exaggerated; scientific research has demonstrated that a human cannot completely sink into quicksand. While the lower body might get trapped, the upper half will remain afloat due to the fact that quicksand is denser than the human body. So, while escaping quicksand can be challenging—and definitely not enjoyable—it is rarely life-threatening.

What are the actual risks associated with quicksand?

However, quicksand can be dangerous in specific situations; for example, a person caught in quicksand during low tide is vulnerable to drowning as high tide approaches and water levels increase.

How can you escape?

This raises an important question: What should you do if you find yourself in quicksand? Vaillancourt advised WGME 13 that leaning forward or backward while spreading your arms and legs can help you rise to the surface and navigate toward the edge of the quicksand. Ideally, there should be something to hold onto to pull yourself out or someone to lend a hand. Above all, keeping calm is essential.