Newbie on the beach.

[beachboy70]

Have to be careful of soft wet sand ,as the water content in the sand increases it becomes like liquid that can be very dangerous just be vigilant for that, good hunting you never know. beachboy70

[Resurgam]

When detecting on Talavre Sands I always move slowly and as soon as I feel overly soft sand beneath my feet I instantly back off and review the situation. The beach at Talacre has areas of soft sand (quicksand) and deep mud, sometimes disguised by a layer of sand.

Underground streams surfacing on a beach fluidise sand and reduce the density of the beach beneath one's feet and depending on tides and weather the the location of quicksand can move; or perhaps not even be there some days.

Always let people know where you are going and what time you anticipate stopping your detecting and heading home, Ensure that you have your phone with you and that it is fully charged and I would add that it is prudent to have a loud whistle with you so that you can gain people's attention in an emergency and your phone has failed; or reception is none existing in your beach area. I believe that repeating four short blasts on a whistle is understood to be an international cry for help and assistance. .... is Morse for H (help) and works both with a whistle, or a lamp.

After a team of sea anglers got caught in fog and couldn't find their way back up the beach to safety at Talacre, I took to carrying a compass in my detecting kit. I may never need either the whistle or the compass but if ever the need arose I would hate not to have them with me.

A good detecting companion can also be a great asset out there on the beach.

Chris

[Duncanmagoo]

When detecting on Talavre Sands I always move slowly and as soon as I feel overly soft sand beneath my feet I instantly back off and review the situation. The beach at Talacre has areas of soft sand (quicksand) and deep mud, sometimes disguised by a layer of sand.

Underground streams surfacing on a beach fluidise sand and reduce the density of the beach beneath one's feet and depending on tides and weather the the location of quicksand can move; or perhaps not even be there some days.

Always let people know where you are going and what time you anticipate stopping your detecting and heading home, Ensure that you have your phone with you and that it is fully charged and I would add that it is prudent to have a loud whistle with you so that you can gain people's attention in an emergency and your phone has failed; or reception is none existing in your beach area. I believe that repeating four short blasts on a whistle is understood to be an international cry for help and assistance. .... is Morse for H (help) and works both with a whistle, or a lamp.

After a team of sea anglers got caught in fog and couldn't find their way back up the beach to safety at Talacre, I took to carrying a compass in my detecting kit. I may never need either the whistle or the compass but if ever the need arose I would hate not to have them with me.

A good detecting companion can also be a great asset out there on the beach.

Chris

Hi Chris,

We don’t have an issue as such with sinking in sand but our beach has a plethora of dog walkers all year round. We also have Coastwatch here so that’s a little comforting. I think a compass may be a little overkill but a whistle isn’t such a bad idea.

D

[Resurgam]

Hi D,

I think dogs are much the same all over the country and they always make a beeline for me at Talacre and want to help in the dig; or at least see what I'm looking for. Biches are fine but keep a close eye on your gear, cos most male dogs want to pee on anything!

Unlike Ainsdale, an other beach that I have worked, the distance between low tide line and the base of the dunes isn't overly great but a whole beach angling team got them selves disorientated in a thick fog that very quickly rolled in and enveloped them and it took the emergency services to ensure that none were lost to the incomming tide.

I have had a dog pee in my bag, one tried to have me sandwiches, and one little pooper rocketed up behind me, whilst I was down on one knee looking for the target. The little burger shot between my legs, brushing my manhood as it did so, and looked into the hole as if to say .. what ya got .. what ya got?

Most times that I worked Talacre I started just at the crack of dawn and that way avoided the crowds, the drunks, and any nerdowells that some times frequent our beaches. Sometimes a bit spooky when running into bait diggers in the dark though.

All good stuff m8, enjoy your self and lets see some pics of treasure asap!

[lotus72R5]

Really interesting thread, this and great replies, thanks all.

[Duncanmagoo]

Hi D,

I think dogs are much the same all over the country and they always make a beeline for me at Talacre and want to help in the dig; or at least see what I'm looking for. Biches are fine but keep a close eye on your gear, cos most male dogs want to pee on anything!

Unlike Ainsdale, an other beach that I have worked, the distance between low tide line and the base of the dunes isn't overly great but a whole beach angling team got them selves disorientated in a thick fog that very quickly rolled in and enveloped them and it took the emergency services to ensure that none were lost to the incomming tide.

I have had a dog pee in my bag, one tried to have me sandwiches, and one little pooper rocketed up behind me, whilst I was down on one knee looking for the target. The little burger shot between my legs, brushing my manhood as it did so, and looked into the hole as if to say .. what ya got .. what ya got?

Most times that I worked Talacre I started just at the crack of dawn and that way avoided the crowds, the drunks, and any nerdowells that some times frequent our beaches. Sometimes a bit spooky when running into bait diggers in the dark though.

All good stuff m8, enjoy your self and lets see some pics of treasure asap!

Got the whistle…..not the most expensive or heaviest thing to add to my kit. As an after thought I added a couple of foil blankets to the mini first aid kit I have on my belt. Maybe not for personal use lol. Used to be a lifeguard in a former life so you never know what you’ll end up involved in.

One thing I did add is a waterproof cover thing for my phone. I run one of those tracking apps and a couple of times I’ve noticed myself holding my phone over a rapid filling hole. About 6 or 7 quid out of one of those two cheap supermarkets that have all those cheap stuff in the middle row of their stores. Just put it in my main bag that gets left in the car. Oh and a little stainless steel carabiner from the diy shop. Gotten a little paranoid about loosing my car keys lol.

[DaveyB]

No flares, just to be on the safe side?

[pjc68]

.... is Morse for H (help) and works both with a whistle, or a lamp.
You want SOS (save our souls), it is . . . _ _ _ . . .

[Resurgam]

No flares, just to be on the safe side?

Or vinegar for jellyfish stings?