Ep 16. Buried in Concrete

In MythBusters season 2 episode 16, titled "Buried in Concrete," the team takes on three popular myths related to concrete.

First, they investigate the claim that someone can be buried alive in concrete and survive. To test this myth, the team builds a coffin-like box and fills it with fresh concrete while leaving a small air hole for the test subject. They then simulate burial by placing the box in a deep pit and covering it with more concrete. Will the test subject survive being buried in concrete, or will the weight and lack of oxygen prove fatal?

Next, the team examines whether a person can actually swim in quicksand. To do so, they recreate a quicksand pit and have a professional swimmer attempt to swim through it. They also test various techniques for escaping quicksand, including the popular method of lying on one's back and "swimming" out. Will the swimmer be able to navigate the treacherous pit, or will quicksand prove to be an insurmountable obstacle for any swimmer?

Finally, the MythBusters tackle the longstanding belief that a person can sink in quicksand up to their waist or chest but not any deeper. To test this, the team constructs a tank filled with a substance similar to quicksand and gradually increases the density to see how deep a person can sink. Will this myth be confirmed, or will the team discover that sinking in quicksand is not limited to a specific depth?

Throughout the episode, the MythBusters use their signature blend of scientific experimentation, creative problem-solving, and occasional explosives to put these myths to the test. Viewers can expect to see some memorable moments, including Adam Savage getting buried alive in concrete, Tory Belleci battling quicksand, and Kari Byron finding unexpected ways to test the limits of sinking in quicksand. Overall, "Buried in Concrete" offers a fascinating exploration of urban legends and the science behind them.