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iPod Saves Lost Tourists

by Kraig Becker (RSS feed) on Dec 29th 2008 at 12:01PM

Two men, one a skier the other a snowboarder, were lost in the Swiss Alps earlier this week after leaving marked runs at the ski resort of Savognin. They faced a long, cold night outdoors, but were later rescued by an eagle-eyed SAR team who spotted them from the air thanks to the faint glow of the screen of an iPod.

According to this story over at Gizmodo, the men attempted to call for help using their cell phone, but the battery died, forcing search and rescue teams to comb the mountain looking for them. With temperatures dropping down to -15º C (5º F), the situation could have become very serious as the night wore on, but thanks to their handy MP3 player, the two Frenchmen were able to signal the passing helicopter. In the end, they suffered only minor hypothermia, and were probably back on the slopes, skiing out of bounds, again the next day.

My iPod has become part of my essential travel gear over the past few years. It's saved me on many long flights, and has proven to be worth every penny time and time again. I never considered it to truly be survival gear for the backcountry however. Apple should sign these guys up for a commercial with a tagline that simply says: "iPod: It Saves Lives!"

[via Reuters]

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Filed under: Skiing, Europe, Switzerland

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Scott Carmichael Dec 29th 2008 12:54PM

So, they remembered to bring a mobile phone and an iPod, but failed to carry a flashlight? Smart thinking :D

Kraig Becker Dec 29th 2008 1:02PM

Yeah, along with any number of other important survival gear. Skiing out of bounds is always a good idea to begin with!

Jo Jo Dec 30th 2008 8:10AM

Why would they think to bring a flashlight?ummmm.......they weren't planning on getting lost.

dave c Dec 30th 2008 9:34AM

Along with the flashlight they should have equiped themselves with a pop tent, some wine and cheese and some matches.
I mean . . . whats wrong with these guys? lol

Ada Dec 30th 2008 12:21PM

I didn't know that skiers should bring a flashlight while skiing. Ummh???? But, for sure, they can listen to iPod and ski at the same time.

Enduring Wanderlust Dec 29th 2008 2:26PM

I would imagine the iPhone would be the best of all worlds. Cell access and music or movies to distract you from the impending doom.

http://www.enduringwanderlust.com

mphseason Dec 30th 2008 7:59PM

Will someone please find out whom these pilots were that decided to fly into a thunderstorm. They have radar in the plane to let them know a storm is ahead. Plus, how many people were in the back. Maybe 150, 200. I 'm sure their friends and families would thought it was cute at the funeral. Lets get rid of these jokey pilots before any of us fly again.

Mike Dec 30th 2008 8:17AM

What kind of cell phone do they have that dies? My blackberry lasts over 3 days before I have to recharge it again.. and I usually charge it everynight.

They could have had any MP3 player with a screen. (Even a Sansa Clip has a bright blueish screen.. can't say the same for the Ipod shuffle).

I always hear of peoples cell phones dying, whenever you are doing something outdoorsy, then take a spare battery! When we go kayaking I always have my cell phone in the ziploc THEN a plastic contained thats waterproof and affixed to the lifevest. No problems thus far!

Rich Dec 30th 2008 9:58AM

The cold has alot to do with battery life. When skiing I always put my ipod inside my jacket.
That is just one of the consequences of skiing out-of-bounds. Punishable by fines in Colo.

xsemperidem5 Dec 30th 2008 5:39PM

They probably had a Moto Razr, lol. And yes, cell phone batteries die quicker when they are trying to get a signal with bad reception.

Joe Dec 30th 2008 8:51AM

jojo - you are the type of idiot that ends up in this situation, didn't you ever go to boy/girl scouts, - Be Prepared.

Gail Dec 30th 2008 9:50AM

Always charge your phone before any event! I can't get over how silly some folks are. And I hate to think they were listening to their iPods while skiing, which is implied just by the fact that they had one with them. You need to be completely alert when skiing and putting headphones in your ears is just plain dumb.
Then again, leaving the course is pretty dumb too!