Quicksand Fans

For the people here that have actually been in quicksand. What was your first encounter like?

My first experience was scary as I quickly sank past my waist and I struggled to get out

Same here... I sank into actual quicksand ( not mud or clay ) at a quarry when I was in my early teens. It was a cold autumn day back in the '70s. I was wearing a beige poloneck ( turtleneck ) under a charcoal grey knit V-neck sweater with a pair of denim jeans and sneakers.

I stepped a yard onto a sand bar which I had tested with my right foot and immediately sank in up to my knees. I stood still and shuddered as I continued sinking. I was excited, but scared as I wondered when I'd stop sinking, imagining all the scenes I'd seen on TV and in comics.

I couldn't feel bottom yet and after a minute, I'd sunk in up to my hips. The cold I felt was immense and I hoped I wouldn't go in any deeper. It was now brushing the hem of my sweater and I looked around to see if anyone else was there. I was alone.

I sank about another inch when the sinking had stopped with only the top half of my body above the surface. I stayed still, apart from the involuntary shivering and chattering of my teeth. Stupidly, I didn't have a plan on how to free myself ! I leaned back and could feel the damp, but solid earth with my hand, and thought if I could turn around I'd be able to drag myself out.

Doing that was harder than I thought and after several minutes I had to give up. " I'm stuck ! I'm stuck ! ", I gasped. Fortunately, I hadn't sunk any further.

There was nothing else for me to do but yell for help, I thought... but who'd hear me ? I may as well be bound and gagged in a cabin cellar deep in the middle of a forest !

I had to try something else. By trial and error I accidentally found if I leaned to one side and moved the opposite leg, I managed to pull it out a little. I then wriggled my foot and made circular motions. I could gradually feel my leg coming loose !

Eventually my left leg was entirely free. I rested it on the surface with my knee crooked and after I took some deep breaths, leaned over to the left and worked the other leg free.

I then crawled backwards onto solid ground. I was happy, but FREEZING. I'd have to get home as fast as I could go. Luckily it was only a fifteen minute walk and I went straight to the shower after quickly explaining to my mother it was a stupid accident.

After that I was barred from going anywhere near the quarry

Hi lurker here looking to finally make his first post.

My first sinking experience was actually by surprise. Around the time I knew I had a “thing” for sinking, but had never thought it’d ever be possible for my self to enjoy in the activity. I always thought “There’s no real quicksand by me, or no way I’d be able to get into that for real.” Anyway, I was invited fishing with a few friends, and the spot we went to had some tidal mud. My friends warned me not to get near the edge while we were fishing, and sure enough I did. I “accidentally” got too close, (on purpose), and was pleasantly suprised. I went down to my knees and could feel my self going further. I quickly hopped out, (like a normal persons reaction would be to) and my friends all laughed and we moved on with our day.

Needless to say, the rest of the day all I could think about was going back to that spot to see how far I could sink. But I was stuck with my friends and couldn’t be weird about it. I was actually so excited I found “real quicksand” somewhere near me.

I later visited on my own to be disappointed with mud just below my waist. However it definitely made for a great first quicksand experience. I went back to that spot a ton eventually realizing that I had a ton of accessible spots near me. I went on trying to find spots I could get genuinely stuck in, (safely), and it has made for a pastime of mine.

Makes me wonder if I never stumbled onto that spot if I’d ever get into sinking myself. Oh well, I sure am glad I did!

P.s. This was before I had the guts to look into forums, groups, sinking location maps and all the other fun things. Also, i’m so happy to finally make a post!

That sounded intense!