New invention praised as avalanche life saver

A float to pinpoint exactly where avalanche victims are buried is being hailed as a life saver.The Avalanche Ball shoots a spring loaded nylon ball from the top of a rucksack which will stick out of the snow alerting rescuers to the exact position of the victim.Makers Fournier & Venier in Mieming, Tyrol, say special fabric and strong ultra thin cords connecting the ball – which sells for 180 Euros – means it can cut through even densely packed snow and will stay inflated.”Being located quickly is the single most important factor in surviving an avalanche and this brings rescuers right to you more quickly than anything else around,” said a spokesman.Long-term statistics show that an average of 26 people die in avalanches in the Austrian Alps every year.