The MythBusters The MythBusters

MythBusters Episode 19: Killer Quicksand

Premier Date: October 20, 2004

“Killer Quicksand” like in the movies (i.e. quicksand that slowly sucks any person or animal unlucky enough to fall into it under) really exists.

busted

Quicksand is denser than water; the greater the density, the greater the buoyancy of objects within. Any victims found in quicksand likely died for some other reason (i.e. exposure to the elements).

One can be killed by dropping an electrical appliance into a bath full of water.

confirmed

The current in most electrical appliances is well above the levels the human body can withstand. The electrocution effect is increased if the appliance drops farther from the drain or if the water has more salt in it (such as due to urine or epsom salts). They also proved that devices (and probably by extension, sockets) with GFCIs are effective at preventing these electrocutions, as a GFCI-equipped hairdryer cut off on contact with the water.

Tattoos can explode when exposed to an MRI scan.

busted

The compounds in the pigments of most tattoos simply do not react to magnetic fields. Old pigments of the color black, which had iron in the composition, could cause some discomfort at most.