But if not trying to escape, and trying too hard, are both bad choices, then what are you supposed to do if you get stuck in quicksand? The trick is to stay calm. First, get rid of any heavy items that you’re wearing or carrying, as they’ll only drag you deeper. Then, try to lean as far back as you can to create more space for yourself. Water will come in and fill the gaps you create, which will make it easier for you to move and pull your body towards the surface. If you can, grab a stick and wedge it underneath your back; this will help to increase your leverage. Hopefully, you’ll get help from emergency services. But if not, you can use these tips to get out on your own. It will be a long and exhausting process since, just to free your foot from a puddle of quicksand, moving at a rate of one centimeter per second, it would require the same amount of force as it does to lift a small car. And once you’re free, you’ll probably be in a lot of pain. With all that pressure from the densely packed sand, you might emerge in the quicksand with permament nerve damage, or without a leg. If you do manage to come out in one piece, well, maybe tread a little more carefully in the future. But don’t let this one sucky experience keep you from another adventure. Put your best foot forward, and take a walk on the wild side.