Park officials are warning visitors to one national park about pockets of hidden quicksand. If you're planning a visit to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area then stay on alert.
The NPS warns on its website, "Quicksand may be present near the shoreline and in drainages throughout the park. It can appear dry and firm on the surface but may suddenly give way. Recognize unstable, shifting, or unusually soft ground, and use caution when entering through these areas."
Made up of a water-saturated mix of dirt or sand, quicksand can quickly trap a person or animal in its mixture. Be on the lookout for spongy areas or areas with high saturation. A human can sink up to halfway in quicksand.
Quicksand at National Park
Jim Britt, a conservation spokesperson at the Maine Department of Agriculture, told The Associated Press: "People hear the word quicksand they think jungle movie. The reality with this supersaturated sand is you're not going to go under. People who are caught in supersaturated sand remain buoyant - people don't sink in quicksand - allowing them to float and wriggle themselves to safety."
It's essential to stay calm if you do find yourself sinking. The more you panic and struggle, the more quickly you'll get trapped. Try to spread your body by laying back and increasing surface area. You may be able to back stroke your way out of the mixture. You could also try grabbing a branch or treking pole to lift yourself out.
"Quicksand is rarely life?'threatening, but escaping can be tiring," the NPS said. "Assistance may be needed if the sediment is deep or if the person is fatigued."
Officials at the national park warned, "The staff of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area want you to have an enjoyable and relaxing time while visiting the park. We also want you to be safe and to treat the resources here with care, so that future generations may enjoy them as well. The dangers here are real, but most can be avoided by good planning, a watchful eye, and smart decision making."
