According to PBS News, millions of people visit Florida’s beaches each year, coming to enjoy the salt air, swim in the water and lay out on the sand. Kids love the beach too, and some popular activities include building sandcastles and digging holes. However, it is starting to become clear that digging holes at the beach can be extremely dangerous, even fatal. In February 2024, one 7-year-old girl from Indiana died after a “4-to-5-foot hole collapsed on her and her 9-year-old brother.” Footage from the accident shows about 20 adults trying to rescue the girl but were unsuccessful as the hole continued to collapse despite their efforts to dig, according to NPR. And these accidents are not just dangerous for young children. NPR also reported incidents involving teenagers in 2022 and 2023, aged 13, 17, and 18.
How does this happen?
Generally, sand found on our beaches is a combination of quartz sand (silicon dioxide) and other minerals. These additional materials cause the sand to be extremely heavy, weighing up to 130 pounds per cubic foot when it is dry. At the beach, sand generally slopes downward towards the water and is stable at about a slope of 33 degrees. When it is wet, sand is slightly more stable because the water helps to hold the sand together. However, once it dries, the sand reverts to its more unstable form, according to PBS News. When children dig holes at the beach, they generally dig straight down which creates a much less stable condition for the sand.
The vertical wall of sand cannot support the additional weight of the sand on top of it or begins to dry out, causing more unstable conditions. If someone was to come stand on the edge of the hole, they would be adding even more weight and could potentially cause the hole to collapse. The sand drying out can also cause a collapse due to the weight. And because sand is so heavy, it will fill up all available space and keep the person trapped from being able to breathe. Unlike snow, an air pocket cannot be created in sand. This means that someone must be rescued very quickly, according to PBS News.
What do you do if a hole collapses?
Prevention is always the best method to ensure everyone remains safe at the beach. When digging a hole, The Washington Post recommends not digging “deeper than the knee height of the shortest person in your group — with two feet being the maximum depth.” If a hole should collapse on someone, it’s important that only a few rescuers (two-three) become involved, as the weight of additional people around the hole can cause it to continue to collapse as rescuers attempt to dig.
The first priority should be to expose the person’s mouth and chest, as someone is calling first responders. Once the mouth is exposed, the person can be helped through rescue breathing. For children who have not yet reached puberty, give one breath every two-three seconds. For older children and adults, give one breath every five-six seconds. Other rescuers should continue to dig around the chest area as rescue breaths are administered.
If someone does become trapped underneath the sand, call 911!
Though digging holes at the beach can be fun, safety should be at the forefront of beach trips this summer. Opt for sandcastles, sunning (with sunblock of course) and swimming in the ocean. Bring a football or frisbee to toss around. For older kids, suggest a good book. Remember, even though digging a deep hole and playing in it may not seem dangerous, it can be deadly — and it’s definitely not worth the risk.
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