Nearly death quicksand in England. Please help

[MuddyKitty]

I experienced something similar to what Fred is talking about at a sand and gravel quarry that had recent very heavy rains. There was a good five feet or so of fine silt that appeared to be floating on top of the water somehow. I can't explain the geology but my feet were definitely feeling something that the rest of my body wasn't. The real test came when I put my hand on a model's shoulder and told her she would pop back up like a cork when I pushed her under. I shoved her down to arms length and when I removed my hand she just stayed there. Took me about a second to realize what was happening. I put one hand under her arm and pulled her back up pretty easy. She was unaware of the close call and I wasn't going to say much about it.

That's what actually happened! If it wasn't for my dad (who was a Russian marine) who taught me to how to survive lol i would of been dead. thanks advice it really helps

[MuddyKitty]

Thanks everyone for the tip it really helps

Sent you a PM with some more advice.

I just sent you one back

[MuddyKitty]

Were these peat type quicksands?

I'm really curious anyone knows of "underwater currents" in quicksand... Normally quicksand in real life is kind of static and non-threatening. Under-mud current could definitely add some real danger I'd think.

I cannot comment from direct experience except with man-made peat pits but when there is a prolonged dry spell, the peat in a man-made peat pit (which is all dead peat) will dry out at the surface. When it finally rains, or especially if a hose is used to put water into the pit at the bottom, there will be a tendency for the dry peat to float for a while with a body of mostly water beneath it. This might account for what is described here and it could indeed be dangerous if deep enough.

Well, England is very wet climate and rains every day however I always make sure that I go up to my knees just in case. That case was different, the ground literally sucked me into my chin. My dad taught me to float if that happens and roll to saftey. I have heard about the manmade pits and I would love to try one and me and my boyfriend want to try one because he lives in America so we want to do it lol.
thanks for the advice

[MuddyKitty]

Were these peat type quicksands?

Im really curious anyone knows of "underwater currents" in quicksand... Normally quicksand in real life is kind of static and non threatening. Under-mud current could definitely add some real danger I'd think.

Well its england and it rains every day so i guess thats why its more dangerous

[joedeep130535]

Muddy Kitty-That is slanderous --It only rains alternate days in England lol Truly we do have good sinking weather in UK & the mud can dry up but usually enough rain to keep it soft

[MuddyKitty]

Muddy Kitty-That is slanderous --It only rains alternate days in England lol Truly we do have good sinking weather in UK & the mud can dry up but usually enough rain to keep it soft

Lol that's not what happened to me

[Boggy Man]

The thing about peat, is that it has a density such that you can be at equilibrium with it submerged. You can jump in and sink to your shoulders or ears, and then can pull yourself under, and struggle without rising back up. To rise back up, you have to climb back up through the mud, raising your legs, pushing down with your arms while straightening your body upwards to push yourself back to the surface (or perhaps like climbing the stairs). The method seems to come naturally. In peat the consistency of milkshake, you can jump in, and submerge briefly before popping back up again. If you are wearing anything that could weigh you down, then it could be a problem. If you are dressed for swimming, or skinny-dipping, then there is not too much concern, unless as mentioned earlier, if the peat mud is floating on top of water. But if you can swim, and can get yourself more horizontal at the surface, you can swim/crawl out. I already mentioned earlier in this thread how I sunk into mud that had water underneath, and crawled out over the surface to solid ground.

Here is a video of Bear Grylls jumping into a Scottish bog the consistency of liquid slurry with a thicker, algae-covered skin on top, and escaping:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V10nUzWJUhI

Here is my thread of videos showing me sinking under mud of varying thicknesses, and escaping (the video where I submerged immediately (fifth one down), I actually forced myself under, otherwise, I would have landed perhaps chest/shoulder deep):

http://www.quicksandfans.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=2588

Hope this helps.