quicksand safety

[tempman]

I never go for places that are too wet. The rule around here is; the thinner=the deeper.

I also never hit the same place twice. I used to as a kid with a limited exploration potential (YEY FOR CARS)... infact I used to leave my sinking gear right next to the spot in full public view (well it was in a very small forest). But yea now I only go in thick/shallow spots. I don't go beyond my waist. I like the tightness of thick mud and the slight reassurance that I simply won't be able to go deep.

[Mynock]

You don't have to be afraid of the deep stuff, especially if it's thick. I've been in clay pits (settling ponds) that when emptied are 30 ft deep. Never gone under without having to force it, even when jumping off a 10ft bank (after wadingin first to make sure there's no badly placed rocks).
The trick to getting out is letting your own natural buyoncy do the work. Lean back and just sort of gyrate in place, or if even that's too much of a strain, just lean back and relax, and you'll end up floating on your back on the surface. Depending on how thick the mud is this can take some time, but it's virtually effortless.

[chefothefuture]

I always go slowly. Inch in and "observe". Like asana practice. In face, good deep quicksand is a great place for some asanas.
A thing about going slow is there could be a pointy or sharp branch very close to the surface. Impaling one's self in a sink defeats the purpose.
The thick deep stuff is wonderfully supportive. With light gear (or none at all...) it can be as snuggly as a fluffy bed but with the feeling of weightlessness.
The thicker it is, the more secure it feels (to me anyways...). If it grabs too much, go slow and relax, breath deeply, and enjoy the process...
I prefer it if it is "bottomless". Full suspension is Da Bomb!
The only thing I do before going in any where, is find out what is "upstream" or what the surrounding houses (if any) do with waste.
Too many lil nasties in many places....
On the Big Island (where I live part of the time; away from my swamp ), I would be very cautious about any fresh water stuff do to the rampant existence of
Leptospirosis in the fresh water.... In some ways, I guess it's a favor that I have yet to find a good "swamp" here.