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FLOAT, DON'T KICK
If you fall into quicksand, resist the natural instinct to kick your way out. That just separates the sand from the water, forming a very dense layer of sediment at bottom where your feet are. Instead, you need to stay calm and lean back, so you get as much of your body surface on the water as possible. That's where the big stick can help; if you can place it under your back and perpendicular to your body, it can help you float.
As you begin floating, slowly start moving your feet — not in a thrashing motion, but in small circles, the point being to get more water down into the thick sediment where your feet are. It may take awhile, but in time, as you get more of your body on the water's surface, you should be able to float free and paddle your way to solid ground.
